Don Menza
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Don Menza | |
|---|---|
 Menza at a concert in Germany, 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | April 22, 1936 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, big band, jazz fusion |
| Occupations | Musician, bandleader |
| Instrument | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1950s–present |
| Labels | Sackville, Palo Alto |
| Website | donmenza |
Don Menza (born April 22, 1936)[1] is an American jazz saxophonist.
Menza was born in Buffalo, where he attended Grover Cleveland High School.[1] After serving in the U.S. Army, he was part of the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra from 1960 to 1962 and then briefly worked for Stan Kenton.[2] From 1964 to 1968 he lived in Germany.[2] Back in the U.S., he became a member of the Buddy Rich band in 1968 and recorded a well-known solo with that band on "Channel One Suite".[2] In the 1970s he was a member of The Tonight Show Band.[3] He later lived in California and played with Elvin Jones and Louie Bellson.[2]
In 2005, Menza was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.[4]
Menza wrote several of the charts played by the Buddy Rich Band, including "Time Check," "Groovin' Hard," and "Beulah Witch."
Personal life
His son Nick Menza (1964–2016) was the drummer for the heavy metal band Megadeth.[5]
