OLIVER, MELVIN JAMES (SY
). Jazz arranger/Composer ( in Battle Creek, Michigan). He came from a musical family: his father sang professionally, taught musical instruments, and directed church choirs; his mother was a piano teacher and a church organist. His family moved to Zanesville, Ohio, when he was a child. He began piano study at an early age, but his real interest was in trumpet, which he studied with his father. At fourteen he began playing professionally with . He came from a musical family: his father sang professionally, taught musical instruments, and directed church choirs; his mother was a piano teacher and a church organist. His family moved to Zanesville, Ohio, when he was a child. He began piano study at an early age, but his real interest was in trumpet, which he studied with his father. At fourteen he began playing professionally with ...