Bennie Green was an American jazz and soul trombonist who was active from the
1940s when he started out in Earl Hines' band, until his death in San Diego in
1977. He came from a musical family, his brother Elbert played tenor sax with
Roy Eldridge. He notably played with the Duke Ellington Orchestra but missed out
on a 1969 European tour due to passport problems that could have been caused by
his having spent time in prison. He ended his career like many jazzmen of his
time by playing in hotel bands in Las Vegas.