Mel Powell

Mel Powell (born Melvin Epstein, February 12, 1923 in New York City – April 24, 1998 in Valencia, California) was a jazz pianist and serial composer.

Powell started writing arrangements for Benny Goodman by the age of eighteen. After studying at Yale with Paul Hindemith in 1952 he all but gave up jazz for classical composition.

His notable students include Lois V Vierk, Lewis Spratlan, Brian Fennelly, and Sally Lamb.

External links

*G. Schirmer: Mel Powell Composer profile and work list
*Art of the States: Mel Powell Immobiles (1967)
*GreenManReview.com Review of Powell's The Best Things In Life (Vanguard Records, 1999) by Danny Cohen