Melvin Epstein, known professionally as Mel Powell, was born on February 12, 1923, in New York. He began his career as a pianist, studying under Nadia Reisenberg and performing with Benny Goodman's orchestra. During World War II, he served in the Air Force Band led by Glenn Miller. After developing muscular dystrophy, Powell shifted his focus to composition and teaching. He studied at Yale University under Paul Hindemith, earning a Bachelor of Music in 1952. Powell taught at various institutions, including Mannes College of Music, Queens College, and the California Institute of the Arts. His notable works include Duplicates, a concerto for two pianos and orchestra, which won him the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1990. He passed away on April 24, 1998, in California.
