Conrad Gozzo
b. 6 February 1922, New Britain, Connecticut, USA, d. 8 October 1964. Gozzo's first notable appearance was in 1938 as a member of the trumpet section of the polished Isham Jones band. In the early '40s he played with several big bands of the swing era, including those led by Red Norvo, Claude Thornhill and Benny Goodman. While serving in the US Navy during World War II he played in the band led by Artie Shaw. After the war he returned to Goodman, played with Woody Herman, Boyd Raeburn and others, then settled in Los Angeles where he was active in the studios. During the '50s he made many record dates, some under his own name and others with leaders such as Herman, Ray Anthony, Shorty Rogers, Stan Kenton, Billy May, Cy Touff, Glen Gray's Casa Loma Orchestra and Goodman. Although he was a good soloist, Gozzo's greatest contribution to big band music lay in his talent as a lead trumpeter.