Mel Powell, born Melvin Epstein on February 12, 1923, in The Bronx, New York City, was a distinguished American composer, music educator, and pianist. He was the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, Milton and Mildred Epstein, and grew up in a family with three children. Powell's early passion for music was nurtured through piano lessons, and a hand injury during a baseball game led him to focus on music over sports. His musical direction shifted from classical to jazz after being inspired by performances from jazz legends Teddy Wilson and Benny Goodman. By 14, Powell was performing professionally in New York City and collaborating with notable musicians like Bobby Hackett and Earl Hines.

In 1941, he changed his last name to Powell and joined Benny Goodman's band, where he composed notable pieces such as "The Earl." During World War II, Powell served in the U.S. Army, playing with Glenn Miller's Army Air Force Band and later with Django Reinhardt in Paris. After the war, he returned to Goodman's band briefly before moving to Hollywood to work on film and cartoon scores, including Tom and Jerry shorts. He appeared in the film "A Song Is Born" alongside jazz greats like Louis Armstrong.

Powell married actress Martha Scott in 1946, with whom he had two children. His career took a turn when he developed muscular dystrophy, which ended his ability to tour as a musician. He then dedicated himself to composition and music education, becoming the founding dean of the music department at the California Institute of the Arts. Powell's contributions to music were recognized with a Pulitzer Prize. He passed away on April 24, 1998, in Sherman Oaks, California, leaving behind a legacy as a pivotal figure in both jazz and classical music education.