* Rolando Alphonso; ‘Ska’ Pioneer

Rolando Alphonso, 67, tenor saxophonist who pioneered the Jamaican music form “ska.” A major figure in Jamaican music, Alphonso worked as a studio musician in Jamaica and later in New York delivering rhythm-and-blues, his own ska and reggae. During his long career, he led the Soul Vendors and worked with the Soul Brothers. Alphonso toured the world with the Skatalites, which he helped form in 1964 in the early days of the backbeat ska sound. He also arranged much of the band’s music. Despite its popularity, the original band existed only 14 months. It came to an abrupt end when its leader, trombonist Don Drummond, was convicted of murdering his girlfriend and was sent to a mental hospital. After a revival of ska in the late 1970s, the Skatalites were reconstituted in Brooklyn. The new group had been performing at the Key Club in Hollywood when Alphonso burst a blood vessel during a solo, leading to his fatal brain hemorrhage. On Nov. 20 in Los Angeles.

* Bob Haggart; Bass Player in Jazz Bands

Bob Haggart, 84, jazz artist and arranger who played bass with bands for nearly 70 years. Haggart performed and recorded with jazz greats Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. He played with the Bob Crosby Orchestra from its inception in 1935 until 1942. Haggart also wrote the orchestra’s hits “South Rampart Street Parade” and “What’s New?” He later worked as a freelance musician in New York and played in the studio orchestras of “The Perry Como Show” and the “Tonight” show. On Wednesday in Venice, Fla.

* Harvey Mehlhouse; Headed Western Electric

Harvey George Mehlhouse, 91, former president and chairman of the board of Western Electric Co. He joined the company as an engineer in 1929 and rose through the ranks, retiring as president and board chairman in 1972. The company makes telephones and other equipment for AT&T.; On Wednesday in Hendersonville, N.C.