Augustino Chester "Chet" Ferretti (November 7, 1933 – March 1971)[1] was a jazz and big band trumpeter, known mostly for his influential lead trumpet playing with Maynard Ferguson's band in the early 1960's.
[2] Born to Agostino and Dora (Muccini) Ferrettii in Massachusetts, Chet enlisted in the Army in 1954, playing with the 1st Armored Division Band at Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas.
[3] After leaving the service he attended Boston University, and began playing lead trumpet for Herb Pomeroy's Orchestra, with whom he recorded three albums.
Ferretti's lead playing during this period was highly influential; he has been mentioned as a favorite by such trumpeters as Roger Ingram,[4] Dave Stahl,[5] Dan Miller,[6] Patrick Hession,[7] and Don Rader.
[8] On leaving Ferguson's band, Ferretti toured and/or recorded with Lena Horne, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman, Sid Caesar, and Slide Hampton.