Lem Winchester had great potential as a vibraphonist but it was all cut short by a tragic accident. Born in Philadelphia, PA (March 19, 1928), he was influenced by Milt Jackson but developing a sound of his own, Winchester actually played tenor, baritone, and piano before choosing to stick exclusively to vibes. A police officer in Wilmington, Delaware, he made a big impression at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival and was soon recording regularly with such major players as Oliver Nelson, Benny Golson, Ramsey Lewis and Tommy Flanagan.

Winchester resigned from the police force in 1960 to be a musician full-time, but he unsuccessfully demonstrated a trick with a revolver. Winchester died at age 32 in the early hours of Friday, January 13, 1961. He was leading his quintet at the Topper club in Indianapolis. According to the Indianapolis News, he asked the bartender, Robert Cook, for an aspirin. Cook opened a drawer beneath the cash register and placed the 38 that was in the drawer on the register while he fished around for the aspirin box. According to Cook's account, Winchester said, "That looks like my old service revolver. Can I see it?" Cook gave the revolver to Winchester, who said he wanted to show Cook how he used it to scare friends. After emptying the gun's five shells, he reportedly said, "Now watch," as he replaced four, spun the cylinder, pointed the gun at his head and fired. He died instantly.

—Scott Yanow (All Music Guide)