When Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed into Buffalo, NY home on February 12^th, 2009 fifty people tragically lost their lives. People of all walks of life and careers were aboard Flight 3407 that day, including musicians Coleman Mellett and Gerry Niewood. Both musicians were members of jazz trumpeter Chuck Mangione’s group, and were scheduled to perform with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on February 13^th.

Guitarist Coleman Mellett was raised in Washington, D.C., before moving to Pittsburg to attend Duquesne University. At Duquesne, Mallett studied with legendary guitarist Joe Negri before transferring to William Patterson University so he could be closer to the New York jazz scene. After graduating from William Patterson, Mellett completed his education with a Masters degree from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Mallett stayed in New York after graduation where he was able to play with some of the genre’s finest musicians including Rufus Reid, Kenny Burrell and Steve Turre before being asked to join Mangione’s band in 1999.

Mellett is survived by his wife Jeanie Bryson, who is the daughter of legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie.

Saxophonist Gerry Niewood was a graduate of the world renowned Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. During his illustrious career he performed with many legendary players including Peggy Lee, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Simon and Garfunkel and Sinead O’Conner. Niewood's versatile playing style was also highly coveted on the highly competitive New York studio scene. Over his fourteen years as a studio player Niewood’s playing can be heard on Robert DeNiro’s A Bronx Tale, comedy classic When Harry Met Sally, and many, many more. He was twice voted “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition – Soprano Saxophone” by critics for Downbeat magazine’s annual poll.