Don Sleet facts for kids

Donald Clayborn Sleet (born November 27, 1938 – died December 31, 1986) was an American jazz trumpeter. He was known as a very talented musician. People sometimes compared him to famous trumpeters like Art Farmer and Kenny Dorham.

Don Sleet played with popular groups such as Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars. He also played with Lenny McBrowne and the Four Souls. Even though he was very gifted, Don Sleet had a short career. He only recorded one album as the main artist.

Life and Music Career

Early Years and Learning Music

Don Sleet was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This was on November 27, 1938. His father was a music teacher. Don started taking music lessons from his dad when he was nine years old.

When he was ten, his family moved to San Diego, California. There, he took piano lessons for four years. After that, he started playing the trumpet. A famous trumpet player named Buddy Childers helped him learn for a year in Hollywood. Don also studied with Daniel Lewis in San Diego. He even played in the San Diego State College Jazz Band.

Later, he studied with Shorty Rogers in Los Angeles. He joined Terry Gibbs's big band there. Don also studied classical music. He played for the San Diego Symphony for three years.

Winning Awards and Joining Bands

In the mid-1950s, Don Sleet led his own small jazz group. They won the Easter Week Jazz Festival twice. This festival was held at the Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach. They won in both 1956 and 1957.

In 1959, he joined a group called Lenny McBrowne and the Four Souls. They recorded an album together in early 1960. In the summer of 1960, Don became a member of Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars. In October 1960, he went to New York with The Four Souls. They recorded their second album, Eastern Lights, there.

His Only Album: All Members

Don Sleet recorded his only album as the main artist on March 16, 1961. This recording happened in New York. The album was called All Members.

Other great musicians played on this album too. They included Jimmy Heath on tenor saxophone, Wynton Kelly on piano, Ron Carter on double bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. The Jazzland label released the album. This label was part of Riverside.

The music magazine Down Beat called the album "outstanding." Alex Henderson from AllMusic said it was a "fine hard bop date." He also wrote that Sleet was a "captivating soloist." The album was re-released in 2001.

Later Years and Passing

After his album came out, Don Sleet almost stopped playing music. In the summer of 1964, he played in Shelly Manne's album My Fair Lady with the Un-original Cast. This was his last recording session.

Don Sleet passed away on December 31, 1986. He was at his home in Hollywood. He had been battling a serious illness for three years.

Music Style

Don Sleet was known as an "expressive, swinging player." He was influenced by other famous jazz musicians. These included Chet Baker, Miles Davis, and Kenny Dorham. People also compared him to Art Farmer. This was because of his "smooth tone" when he played.

Family Life

Don Sleet got married in the 1970s. He did not have any children. His younger brother, David, was also a professional drummer in the 1960s. David was a member of the National Association of Rudimental Drummers.

Discography

As the Main Artist

• 1961: All Members (Jazzland)

As a Supporting Musician

With Lenny McBrowne and the Four Souls

• Lenny McBrowne and the 4 Souls (Pacific Jazz, 1960)
• Eastern Lights (Riverside, 1960)

With Shelly Manne

• My Fair Lady with the Un-original Cast (Capitol, 1964)

See also

A robot for kids.

• In Spanish: Don Sleet para niños