[4] His first professional engagement in Boston was with the same group on tenor saxophone, in which he played before and after his military service during World War II.

[6] Before joining Duke Ellington's orchestra in 1950, he also played in big bands led by Count Basie (1947–1949) and Dizzy Gillespie (1949–1950).

[8] Gonsalves died in London ten days before Duke Ellington's death, after a lifetime of addiction to alcohol and narcotics.

[4][9] Mercer Ellington refused to tell Duke of the passing of Gonsalves, fearing the shock might further accelerate his father's decline.

With Duke Ellington With Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis With Johnny Hodges With John Lewis With Billy Taylor With Clark Terry With Jimmy Woode