Don Menza

Don Menza (born April 22, 1936) is an American jazz saxophonist, arranger, and composer.[1]

Don Menza
Don Menza at a concert in Germany, 2010
Background information
Born (1936-04-22) April 22, 1936
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
GenresJazz, big band, jazz fusion
Occupation(s)Musician, bandleader
InstrumentsSaxophone
Years active1950s–present
LabelsSackville, Palo Alto
Associated actsMaynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich
Websitewww.donmenza.com

Music career

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.[1] From 1964 to 1968 he lived in Germany.[1] 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".[1] In the 1970s he was a member of The Tonight Show Band.[2] He later lived in California and played with Elvin Jones and Louie Bellson.[1]

In 2005 Menza was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.[3]

Personal life

His son Nick Menza (1964–2016) was the drummer for the heavy metal band Megadeth.[4]

Discography

As leader
  • Morning Song (SABA, 1966)
  • First Flight (Catalyst, 1977)
  • Horn of Plenty (Discwasher, 1979)
  • Burnin (M&K, 1981)
  • Hip Pocket (Palo Alto, 1982)
  • Ballads with Frank Strazzeri (Fresh Sound, 1987)
  • Live at Claudios with Pete Magadini (Sackville, 1991)
  • Bilein with Joe Haider (JHM, 1998)
  • Dream Suite (Corsaro, 2002)
  • Jack Rabbitt with John Bacon, Bobby Jones (Cadence, 2004)
  • Menza Lines (Jazzed Media, 2005)
  • Voyage with SWR Big Band (Hanssler/SWR, 2006)
  • Very Live at Groovy (Artie Music, 2008)
  • Forget the Woman (Pro Jazz, 2011)

As sideman

With Louie Bellson

  • Louie Rides Again! (Percussion Power 1974)
  • The Louis Bellson Explosion (Pablo, 1975)
  • Sunshine Rock (Pablo, 1978)
  • Note Smoking (Discwasher, 1978)
  • Matterhorn (Pablo, 1979)
  • Dynamite! (Concord Jazz, 1980)
  • Side Track (Concord Jazz, 1981)
  • Louis Bellson and Explosion (Pausa, 1984)
  • Live at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase (Concord Jazz, 1988)
  • Hot (Musicmasters, 1988)
  • East Side Suite (Musicmasters, 1989)
  • Airmail Special (Musicmasters, 1990)
  • Jazz Giants (Musicmasters, 1990)

With Les DeMerle

  • Concerts by the Sea (Bar T, 1978)
  • Transcendental Watusi! (United National, 1979)
  • On Fire (Palo Alto, 1983)

With Neil Diamond

  • Tap Root Manuscript (UNI, 1970)
  • Beautiful Noise (Columbia, 1976)
  • In My Lifetime (Columbia, 1996)

With Maynard Ferguson

  • Straightaway Jazz Themes (Roulette, 1961)
  • Si! Si! M.F. (Roulette, 1962)
  • Maynard '62 (Roulette, 1962)
  • A Message from Maynard (Roulette, 1963)
  • The World of Maynard Ferguson (Roulette, 1964)

With others

References
  1. Yanow, Scott. "Don Menza". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  2. Don Sweeney (2006). Backstage at the Tonight Show: From Johnny Carson to Jay Leno. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 120. ISBN 9781589793033.
  3. "Don Menza BMHOF Class of 2005". Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  4. Craig Sailor (January 12, 2017). "Megadeth drummer's gift to son stolen from Tacoma home". The News Tribune.
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