An excellent trumpeter of the bop and cool eras who largely faded out in the 1960s. Born in Worcester, MA, on February 6, 1927, Don Fagerquist only had two sessions as a leader, a half-date for Capitol in 1955, and an excellent outing for Mode in 1957. Fagerquist was a key soloist with Gene Krupa (off and on during 1944-1950), Artie Shaw's Orchestra, Gramercy Five (1949-1950), and Woody Herman's Third Herd (1951-1952). He was with Les Brown in 1953 and a major soloist with Dave Pell's Octet (1953-1959). From 1956 on, Fagerquist worked as a staff musician for Paramount films although he still recorded jazz now and then with Pete Rugolo, Mel Tormé, and Art Pepper, among others.

Don Fagerquist passed away at his home in Los Angeles, California, on January 24, 1974

Scott Yanow -All Music Guide