José Melis

He studied at the Havana Conservatory of Music and a Cuban government scholarship enabled him to continue his education in Paris.

When he was 16, he arrived in the United States, graduated from the Juilliard School of Music and worked as a lounge pianist.

Melis also appeared on other TV shows, including Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town, and he portrayed himself in the musical comedy film Senior Prom (1958).

He occasionally accompanied Frank Sinatra, and his song "Pasion Orientale" was heard in the Judy Garland version of A Star Is Born (1954).

In addition to touring with Mel Torme, he also appeared as a soloist with the Boston Pops and other symphony orchestras.