Donald Leight, a trumpet player who worked as a sideman with big bands, in nightclubs and on Broadway and whose life was the inspiration for the award-winning play “Side Man,” written by his son, Warren, has died in Manhattan.
Mr. Leight, 80, died Jan. 3 of pneumonia and complications from Parkinson’s disease, according to Warren Leight.
After living the anonymous life of a sideman for 50 years, Donald Leight lost some of his anonymity in March 1998, when “Side Man” opened Off Broadway to critical acclaim. The frankly autobiographical play was told from the perspective of a young man whose father was a journeyman musician with a devotion to his craft and an itinerant life that had a devastating effect on his relationship with his wife and family.
“Side Man” later moved to Broadway and in 1999 won the Tony Award for best play. It was also nominated for a Pulitzer.
Mr. Leight was a featured soloist in Buddy Rich’s big band from 1948 to 1950. He later accompanied Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne and Sammy Davis Jr, and played for the musical “Hair” in its four-year Broadway run.
