Johnny Mandel, Composer, 1925, New York, NY
Johnny, a child prodigy, learned many instruments at a young age. He began writing arrangements ar the age of 13. During the mid '50s he played trumpet and trombone with a series of big bands. At various times he worked with Joe Vanuti, Boyd Raeburn, Jimmy Dorsey, Buddy Rich, and Georgie Auld. He first came to prominence as an arrangerfor Woody Herman in the late '40s. He also wrote charts for Count Basie and Artie Shaw. In 1953 Johnny settled in Los Angeles to pursue a career as a full-time writer and arranger. He provided material for numerous jazz groups and singers and also wrote the score for the film"I Want To Live". His most successful film composition was The Shadow Of Your Smile for the film, "The Sandpiper", in 1965. Over the years Mandel has moved away from jazz, but he still has a reputation solidly built in jazz.
Tyree Glenn, Trombone, 1912, Corsicana, TX
Tyree played the vibraphone as well as trombone. While still in his teens he began working with bands in Washington and Virginia. By 1936 he was on the West Coast working with Eddie Barefield and Charlie Echols. At this time he even worked in a band accompaning Ethel Waters on tour. Around 1940 Tyree joined Cab Calloway with whom he stayed until 1946. He then toured Europe with Don Redman. He remained in Europe for a time working as a freelance. In 1947 he returned to the U.S. and joined Duke Ellington with whom he played until 1951. During the '50s and '60s he did studio work and occasionally playing engagements. He spent the last years of his life as a freelance and occasionally worked with Louis Armstrong in New York. During his time with Ellington, Tyree specialized in playing his trombone with a plunger mute, in the style of Tricky Sam Nanton. Tyree Glenn died in 1974.
