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Harold Betters

 

Trombone player Harold Betters is a jazz legend who was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania on March 21, 1928 and raised in Pittsburgh. He was one of seven children in a musical family in Connellsville. His parents owned the nightspot Betters’ Grill and Hotel, his older brother Jim was a trumpeter and his younger brother Jerry sang and played drums. 

Betters studied music education at Acatha College before being called into the U. S. Army during World War II. After war service he studied at the Brooklyn Conservatory for one year. After moving to Boston in 1952 he toured with the bands of Dick Gregory and Ray Charles.

Harold Betters died on October 11, 2020.

Image: Penn State University

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