Mel Powell

Born Melvin Epstein, Mel Powell began his career as a jazz pianist before transitioning into composition. He went on to serve as a music educator for over four decades, teaching at various institutions including Mannes College of Music, Queens College, Yale University, and the California Institute of the Arts, where he held the position of founding dean of the music department. Powell's compositions often featured big band arrangements, resulting in notable works such as "Mission to Moscow", "My Guy's Come Back", "Clarinade", "The Earl", and "Bubble Bath".