Local jazz trombonist Randy Purcell, known nationally for his work with famed trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, died Saturday night from complications of diabetes.

Mr. Purcell graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1968 and then hit the road with the Glenn Miller Orchestra for a year before he joined the Navy Commodores in Washington, D.C. He joined Maynard Ferguson and his ensemble in 1973. During his tenure with the ensemble, he arranged and played a trombone solo for "The Way We Were," the famed single off of the album "Chameleon."

Mr. Purcell was known locally as a consummate teacher, schooling his students both in technique and in the workings of the music business.