Ray Wetzel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ray Wetzel (September 22, 1924 — August 17, 1951) was an American jazz trumpeter. Critic Scott Yanow described him as "greatly admired by his fellow trumpeters".^[1]

Wetzel played lead trumpet for Woody Herman in 1943-45 and for Stan Kenton from 1945-48. He recorded in 1947 with the Metronome All-Stars, Vido Musso, and Neal Hefti, and married bass player Bonnie Addleman in 1949. While with the Charlie Barnet Orchestra in 1949, he played trumpet alongside Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, and Rolf Ericson. He played with his wife in Tommy Dorsey's ensemble in 1950 and with Kenton again in 1951. While touring with Dorsey in 1951, he was killed in a car crash at the age of 27.^[1] He never recorded as a leader.