Harry "Sweets" Edison (d. 1999)	Aug 22 99

Jazz trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison died July 27, 1998 at age 83. Edison performed with such legends as the Count Basie Orchestra, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, and many others. He was given the nickname "Sweets" by Count Basie saxophonist Lester Young in admiration of his rich trumpet sound. Edison began his career in the Lucky Millinder band, but was soon replaced by a new trumpeter named Dizzy Gillespie. Edison landed on his feet, however, as his next gig at age 17 was with the Count Basie Orchestra. He played with Basie as a featured soloist until 1950, and became known for his innovative and clean style. Edison's work included stints with the big bands of Rich, Quincy Jones, Nelson Riddle, Henry Mancini, and Louis Bellson. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts award in 1991, and taught at the Duke Ellington Fellowship Program at yale University. Edison's career lasted until December, 1998, when he performed briefly in Germany on tour with Red Holloway and Clark Terry until he became too ill to continue. He had suffered from prostate cancer for 14 years, and died in Columbus, Ohio, at the home of his daughter, Helena Edison. Source: Aaron Beck, The Columbus Dispatch

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