Arthur Whetsol, one of the original members in Duke Ellington's Washingtonians, had an attractive tone, impressive technique, and a very lyrical style that set a standard for Ellington; in future years Harold Shorty Baker filled a similar role with Duke. A childhood friend of Ellington, Whetsol came to New York with Duke to join Elmer Snowden's group in 1923 but left a year later to study medicine at Howard University. He eventually returned to music and was a fixture in Duke's orchestra during 1928-1936 until a brain disorder forced him to permanently retire. Featured prominently in Ellington's 1929 film short #Black and Tan, Whetsol took many fine solos in the late '20s when his melodic style was a contrast to that of Bubber Miley and (a little later) Cootie Williams, most notably on Mood Indigo, Black and Tan Fantasy, and Black Beauty; his role became less prominent in the 1930s. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi