Jack Sheldon was born November 30, 1931, in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. After studying trumpet as a child, Sheldon played professionally while still in his early teens. In the late 40s, now relocated in the Los Angeles area, he played with many leading west coast musicians, including Art Pepper, Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray. He was also closely associated with comedian Lenny Bruce. In 1955 he was one of the first of the west coast school to record for the Pacific Jazz label. In the mid-50s he recorded with the Curtis Counce group, which included Harold Land, and later in the decade with Dave Pell and Pepper. He also toured with Gray, Stan Kenton and Benny Goodman. In the 60s Sheldon's natural wit brought him work as a stand-up comedian and he also took up acting, playing the lead in a US television series, What Makes Sammy Run? In the 70s he worked with various bands, big and small, including Goodman's, Woody Herman's and Bill Berry's, and also led his own small bands for club and record dates. Sheldon's trumpet playing is deeply rooted in bebop but he ably adapts it to the mainstream settings in which he often works. His live appearances always include examples of his engaging singing style and his sparkling, frequently abrasive wit. Much less well known internationally than his talent deserves, Sheldon has survived many problems, including drug addiction and alcoholism, that would have ended the careers of less durable men.