Career
Along with bands he worked for Capitol Records for a time and accompanied Peggy Lee, Patti Page, National King Cole, and Ray Charles, among others Outside of jazz he developed an interest in Gemology and received four certificates from the Gemological Institute of America. In the mid 1960s, Mel opened a music store in Canoga Park, California together with vibist Terry Gibbs.
Terry Gibbs and Mel Zelnick Music Stop was also the first teaching facility of the drum guru Freddie Gruber and Henry Bellson brother of Louie.
