Thread: Upstate NY Plane Crash

Well, we're here. I am a rock. I am here for Scar and Jeanie (his wife). There was one other band member onboard. When the press release is out, I will copy it here.

I want to thank you all for the kind messages of support.

Brad

We just got the press release together and out so I can share it with you. Scarlett has been very close with Jeanie Bryson since they were tykes. If you are a jazz fan, you probably know Jeanie is the daughter of Dizzy Gillespie. Jeanie's husband Coleman Mellet is our friend who was on that plane. He was Chuck Mangione's guitar player. Another band member was with Coleman, Gerry Niewood who was Chuck's woodwinds artist.

I am cooking and anything else I can do to help. Fortunately I am a very good hugger. Quality hugs are in huge demand right now. Here's the press release:

PRESS CONTACT:
Michael Mazur
Mazur Public Relations
(609) 462-9905
HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


JAZZ GUITARIST COLEMAN MELLETT DIES IN PLANE CRASH

East Brunswick, NJ -- East Brunswick resident, solo artist and lead guitarist for Chuck Mangione, Coleman Mellett, husband of jazz singer Jeanie Bryson was a passenger on Continental Flight # 3407 which went down in Buffalo, New York on Thursday, February 12, 2009.

In 2007, Mellett released his first CD titled "Natural High." In 2008, Coleman auditioned for the 2008 Radio City Christmas Spectacular and was selected to be first chair on strings.

Guitarist Coleman Mellett grew up in the Washington D.C. area and was first exposed to Jazz while studying with Maryland guitar guru, Paul Wingo. Under Wingo's legendary tutelage, Mellett began listening to the great Jazz guitarists and was active in Blues Alley Youth Orchestra. Upon receiving the "Emily Remler" Jazz guitar scholarship to Duquesne University, Mellett headed to Pittsburgh where he spent a year learning from the great guitarist Joe Negri. To be closer to the New York Jazz scene, Mellett transferred to the jazz program at William Paterson University where he had the privilege to study with Jazz greats like Rufus Reid, Kenny Burrell, Norman Simmons, Steve Turre, and Harold Mabern. After graduating from William Paterson, Mellett headed to Manhattan School of Music to pursue a Master's degree in Jazz Performance, which he received in 1998. While living in New York, Mellett had the good fortune of working with musicians like Joe Williams, James Spaulding, Frank Wess, Doug Lawrence, Etta Jones, Christian McBride, and others. At this time, Mellett became a touring member of the quartet backing up the wonderful vocalist Jeanie Bryson. Mellett was also part of a trio with organist Adam Scone and drum legend Ben Dixon, who is known internationally for the Blue Note recordings he made with "Big" John Patton and Grant Green. While performing with this trio in 1999 on a Manhattan Cable T.V. program, Mellett caught the eye of Chuck Mangione who was looking for a guitar player at the time. Mellett was invited to audition for Mangione, and was hired on the spot to be the substitute for Grant Giessman, who had been playing with Chuck since the mid 1970's. After two years of "subbing" for Giessman, Chuck invited Mellett to be a permanent member of the group, and since then Coleman has been touring the world with the Chuck Mangione Band.

Give Scarlett a hug for me. Thanks

You all have my sympathies.

The local news just did a report on the musicians lost in this tragedy. I think they interviewed your friend's mother. She seemed strong and had a healthy perspective. Hang in there.

Jordan

Coleman is on the front page of the NY Times today:Today's Paper - New York Times

I think this loss is ridiculous. Jeanie just reminded me the last time I saw her I asked, "Hey, I know he's busy but do you think I'll ever see Coley again?" I never would have believed the answer was no.

Damn.

Originally Posted by icedog

Coleman is on the front page of the NY Times today:Today's Paper - New York Times

I think this loss is ridiculous. Jeanie just reminded me the last time I saw her I asked, "Hey, I know he's busy but do you think I'll ever see Coley again?" I never would have believed the answer was no.

Damn.

The human condition! Life is really so fleeting that it does seem ridiculous at times. I think it's what enables us to laugh and cry at the same time. There's a tragedy lurking behind every joy.

You're doing the only thing you can -- holding your people close while you have them.

My brother lives in Buffalo, along with a quarter million other people. Still, you can bet I called the moment I heard. He appreciated the call.

All sympathy from us down here. Best to your signif. other.

j

I have been busy with other things and Jeanie has not allowed (understandably) any newspapers, radio or TV discussions of the crash. I've been doing the internet thing surreptisciously(sp?). Has anyone heard any info on why the plane crashed?

Brad

P.S. Now I will walk Jeanie's dog, ask the news crew out front to go away, play with my dog and then make some dinner for the people who are coming and going. I think I will make rigatoni with clam sauce. Coleman would have loved it!

Originally Posted by icedog

I have been busy with other things and Jeanie has not allowed (understandably) any newspapers, radio or TV discussions of the crash. I've been doing the internet thing surreptisciously(sp?). Has anyone heard any info on why the plane crashed?

Brad

P.S. Now I will walk Jeanie's dog, ask the news crew out front to go away, play with my dog and then make some dinner for the people who are coming and going. I think I will make rigatoni with clam sauce. Coleman would have loved it!

Current thought is icing. The crew reported icing just prior to dropping off the radar, and they had had trouble with lowering the landing gear and controlling the flaps. Seems a likely cause.

Sounds so harmless when you say it like that.

j

That's terrible Brad, I'm sorry for your and Jeanie's loss.

I guess I never thought about it before. The NTSB called to ask what Coley was wearing. They are also coming by today to collect DNA samples.