Don Menza
| Don Menza | |
|---|---|
Don Menza at a concert in Germany, 2010
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| Background information | |
| Born |
April 22, 1936 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, big band, fusion |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader |
| Instruments | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1950s–present |
| Labels | Sackville, Palo Alto |
| Associated acts | Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich |
| Website | www |
Donald "Don" Menza (born April 22, 1936) is an American jazz saxophonist, arranger, and composer.
Menza was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where he began playing tenor saxophone when he was 13. He studied with musician John Sedola.
After serving in the U.S. Army, he was part of the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra from 1960–62 and then briefly worked for Stan Kenton. From 1964–68 he lived in Germany. In the U.S., he became a member of the Buddy Rich band in 1968 and recorded a well-known solo with that band at a live performance in Las Vegas. He lived in California and played with Elvin Jones and Louie Bellson.
Menza composed "Groovin' Hard" and "Time Check", which became favorites of Doc Severinsen and Buddy Rich.. In 2005 Menza was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
His late son Nick Menza was the drummer for heavy metal band Megadeth.
With Maynard Ferguson
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Wikipedia