A journeyman jazz trumpeter, Reed was a reliable bop-oriented soloist. After attending the Eastman School of Music and gaining experience playing with R&B groups and with Ira Sullivan in Miami, Reed was a member of James Brown's group during 1965-1969 and then was with Count Basie (1969-1973). Short stints with the Frank Foster and Thad Jones-Mel Lewis big bands preceded another tour of duty with Basie (1977-1978). Reed was married for a time to Sarah Vaughan, and he worked with her during much of 1978-1980 before their marriage broke up and he was stricken with cancer. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi