Died On This Date (February 12, 2009) Coleman Mellett / Played Guitar For Chuck Mangione; Died In Crash of Flight 3407
themusicsover Coleman Mellett
May 27, 1974 – February 12, 2009
Coleman Mellett was a jazz guitarist who at the time of his death played in Chuck Mangione’s band. He joined up with Mangione in 1999, and in 2007 released his solo debut, Natural High. On February 12, 2009, Mellett and fellow band member Gerry Niewood boarded Continental flight 3407 in Newark, New Jersey for a Mangione gig in Buffalo, New York. Shortly before the scheduled landing of the plane, it stalled and crashed into a Buffalo suburb killing all on board. Coleman Mellett was 34 years old.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums and Brett Ortone for the assist.
Gerry Niewood was a jazz saxophonist who at the time of his death, played in Chuck Mangione’s band. He and Mangione grew up in the same town and graduated from its music school. In 1981, Niewood played with Simon & Garfunkel at their legendary Central Park concert. On February 12, 2009, Niewood and fellow band member 
Eubie Blake was a jazz pianist and songwriter who is most closely associated with the golden age of ragtime jazz. Many of his compositions, such as “I’m Just Wild About Harry,” “Charleston Rag,” and “Memories of You” have become standards. In 1921, Shuffle Along, a musical he co-wrote, became one of the first Broadway shows that was written and directed by African-Americans. Blake continued to work well into his later life and was a regular guest on the Johnny Carson and 
Jake Hanna was a respected jazz drummer who was known for his sense of timing and his ability to play well within either a big band or small combo setting. Over the course of his career, he played with the likes of Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, 
