Pittsburgh jazz trombonist Randy Purcell dies; played with Maynard Ferguson

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May 20, 2009

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat Wed May 20, 2009, 09:25 AM EDT

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh jazz trombonist Randy Purcell, who gained fame with the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra, has died. He was 62.

Purcell’s family says he died of complications from diabetes on Saturday. The disease led him to give up music several years ago.

Randy Purcell graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1968 with a degree in trombone performance and toured with the Glenn Miller, Sy Zentner and Fred Waring orchestras and the Navy Commodores.

Purcell’s peak fame came with Ferguson’s orchestra in the 1970s, especially his solo on “Chameleon,” and later on songs including “The Way We Were” and “Feelings.”

Purcell’s funeral will be Saturday in Pittsburgh.

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