[Dixielandjazz] Bill Berry Obit

[Stephen Barbone]

Maybe not well known as OKOM player, but some on this chat list probably
knew Bill Berry and so I post the obit.

November 19, 2002 - New York Times

Bill Berry, Jazz Trumpeter, Dies at 72

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

     LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18 (AP) — Bill Berry, a jazz trumpeter and big
band leader who performed with Duke Ellington and Woody Herman, died
here on Wednesday. He was 72.

The cause was lung cancer, his wife, Betty Berry, said.

Mr. Berry performed in the big bands of Herman and Maynard Ferguson
before joining Ellington's band for three years in 1961.

Ellington was a major influence on Mr. Berry, who went on to play and
teach music in a career that spanned more than 50 years. For several
years, Mr. Berry was musical director of the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Born William Richard Berry in Benton Harbor, Mich., he spent his early
years traveling with his parents, who were on the road in bands
themselves. By 5, Mr. Berry could play the piano. Later he turned to the
trumpet and traveled through the Midwest before serving for four years
in the Air Force.

Mr. Berry studied at the Cincinnati College of Music and attended
Berklee College of Music in Boston.
He later played with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis orchestra and led his own
big band in New York. He joined Merv Griffin's television show in 1965
and was featured on the show for the next 15 years.

When Mr. Griffin moved to Los Angeles, Mr. Berry followed him and
re-formed his group as the L.A. Big Band in 1971. He continued leading
the band part time for the next 30 years while also touring with Louie
Bellson and doing studio work.

Mr. Berry is survived by his wife; a son, William Berry of Englewood,
Colo.; and a daughter, Lisa McLaughlin, of Tallmadge, Ohio.