Mel Powell

Mel Powell (born Melvin Epstein) (February 12, 1923 – April 24, 1998) was an American Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, jazz pianist, and music educator. He is best known for his work as a composer and his contributions to big band music. Some of his classic compositions include 'Mission to Moscow', 'My Guy's Come Back', 'Clarinade', 'The Earl', and 'Bubble Bath'. Powell was born Melvin D. Epstein on February 12, 1923, in The Bronx, New York City. He began playing piano at a young age and received lessons from Nadia Reisenberg. Throughout his career, he served as a music educator at various institutions, including Mannes College of Music, Queens College, Yale University, and the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).