Career
Critic Scott Yanow described him as "greatly admired by his fellow trumpeters". Wetzel played lead trumpet for Woody Herman from 1943 to 1945 and for Stan Kenton from 1945 to 1948. While with the Charlie Barnet Orchestra in 1949, he played trumpet alongside Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, and Rolf Ericson.
While touring with Dorsey in 1951, he was killed in a car crash at the age of 27.
He never recorded as a leader. He is credited with composing the Stan Kenton tune "Intermission Riff".
