Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

BERMAN, Sonny

(b Saul Berman, 21 April '24, New Haven CN; d 16 Jan. '47 NYC) Trumpet. Played in many bands early '40s; legendary Boyd Raeburn band '44. Joined Woody Herman '45; solos on 'Your Father's Mustache', 'Sidewalks of Cuba'; played at Herman's '46 Carnegie Hall Concert. A few small-group records from two dates in '46 on Esoteric, Dial; also on Onyx, Spotlight, some with alternate titles under name of Bill Harris. One of the brightest young stars, he died of drug-related heart attack.