Introduction
Don J. Ingle (February 10, 1931 – March 9, 2012) was an American jazz musician (ventilate trombone, trombone, cornet, vocals), arranger, and wildlife journalist.
Early life and education
Don Ingle was born on February 10, 1931, to Jean Ingle and Ernest "Red" Ingle. His mother worked for Child Protective Services in Lake County and his father, Ernest "Red" Ingle, was a jazz legend who had played with such famed jazz musicians as Jean Goldkette, Bix Beiderbecke, and Spike Jones among others.
Ingle began his musical career in 1949 at the age of 18. He studied music and history at Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
Career
During the 1960s, Ingle played with Frank Assunto and the Dukes and in the clarinetist Bill Reinhardt's ensemble Jazz Limited.
Before working full-time as an outdoor journalist, he was a trombonist in the hot jazz tribute band Sons of Bix, with which he recorded the album Ostrich Walk and performed at the Manassas Jazz Festival in 1978.
Between 1968 and 1987, he participated in a number of recording sessions with his band Don Ingle & The Michigan Nighthawks, with whom he was also active in the 1990s.
He also published Michigan Forests Magazine and worked for local magazines.
Death
Ingle and his wife died on March 9, 2012, in a fire at their Lake County home. The Associated Press reported that a fire broke out at the couple's home at 310 Washington Street in Baldwin about 3 a.m. Friday.