Tribute Planned for Melba Liston

Melba Liston, the composer, arranger and trombonist who became the first woman in jazz history to play in the horn section of leading name bands, will be honored Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Proud Bird Ballroom, 11022 Aviation Blvd.

O.C. Smith, the minister and singer, will organize the event and perform. Gerald Wilson, in whose orchestra Liston played in the 1940s, will also be a participant in the celebration being arranged in collaboration with the Jazz Heritage Foundation.

Liston suffered a stroke several years ago that left her unable to play the trombone and limited her ability to write music. The proceeds from the affair, for which the minimum donation is $10, will be used to help her with computerized music-arrangement instruments and her medical bills.

Liston played in the bands of Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Quincy Jones; she wrote arrangements for Duke Ellington, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and many others. Later she became a teacher at the University of the West Indies, spending several years based in Jamaica. Liston is expected to attend the tribute.

Information: (213) 462-5207.