Known to jazz aficionados from coast to coast and Canada as "MR. TROMBONE," Betters can boast of a long list of professional credits. During the early years of his career, he played with a number of New York bands. He and his quartet toured with the RAY CHARLES ENSEMBLE and appeared with comedian DICK GREGORY at New York's legendary Apollo Theater -- a theater which helped to catapult such jazz artists as Ella Fitzgerald to stardom. He has also enjoyed performing with LOUIS ARMSTRONG, AL HIRT, SLIDE HAMPTON, RAMSEY LEWIS, and URBIE GREEN.
Harold
and his quartet have been playing at many posh nightspots in major cities.
For 15 years, the jazz trombonist was the featured performer at the well-known
Pittsburgh nightclub, the ENCORE, making it the "in spot" for
jazz lovers. He has performed, as well, at other such exclusive clubs
as Pittsburgh's HOLIDAY HOUSE, Shaker Heights' VIRGINIAN, Cleveland's
THEATRICAL GRILL and THE CABANA CLUB's Nero's Nook, Palo Alto, California.
A favorite of sports fans, Betters has entertained at PIRATE and PENGUIN home games. Currently, he has a long-term contract playing at PITTSBURGH STEELER games.
Helping to bridge the generation gap with his music, the performer has thrilled college audiences in several states. Among the institutions of higher learning at which he has appeared are PENN STATE, WEST VIRGINIA and INDIANA UNIVERSITIES.
Betters has participated in numerous jazz festivals -- including the prestigious KOOL JAZZ FESTIVAL -- performed in a variety of concerts, and given special performances for the late HUBERT HUMPHREY and CARL STOKES.