Ray Wetzel was an American jazz trumpeter born on September 22, 1924, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He was a prominent figure in the jazz scene during the 1940s and early 1950s. Wetzel played lead trumpet for Woody Herman from 1943 to 1945 and for Stan Kenton from 1945 to 1948. In 1947, he recorded with the Metronome All-Stars, Vido Musso, and Neal Hefti. He married bass player Bonnie Addleman in 1949.

In 1949, Wetzel joined the Charlie Barnet Orchestra, where he played alongside notable trumpeters such as Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, and Rolf Ericson. He later performed with Tommy Dorsey's ensemble in 1950, where he played with his wife. In 1951, he returned to play with Stan Kenton. Tragically, while touring with Dorsey in 1951, Wetzel was killed in a car crash in Sedgwick, Colorado, at the age of 26.

Wetzel is credited with composing the Stan Kenton tune "Intermission Riff." Despite his short career, he was highly regarded by his peers, with critic Scott Yanow describing him as "greatly admired by his fellow trumpeters." Wetzel never recorded as a leader, but his contributions to jazz remain significant.