Don Menza (born April 22, 1936) is an American jazz saxophonist.

Career

Menza was born in Buffalo, where he attended Grover Cleveland High School. After serving in the U.S. Army, he was part of the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra from 1960 to 1962 and then briefly worked for Stan Kenton. From 1964 to 1968 he lived in Germany. Back in the U.S., he became a member of the Buddy Rich band in 1968 and recorded a well-known solo with that band on "Channel One Suite". In the 1970s he was a member of The Tonight Show Band. He later lived in California and played with Elvin Jones and Louie Bellson. In 2005, Menza was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. Menza wrote two of the charts played by the Buddy Rich Band: "Time Check" and "Groovin' Hard".

Personal life

His son Nick Menza (1964–2016) was the drummer for the heavy metal band Megadeth.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Louie Bellson With Les DeMerle With Neil Diamond With Maynard Ferguson With others