Stu Williamson

I've been listening to quite a bit of Stu Williamson recently, an underrated player, don't you think? I suppose he was overshadowed by Chet, Shorty, Conte and co but I think he was a nice player in his own right. I particularly like the sessions he did with Charlie Mariano, Russ Freeman, Leroy Vinnegar & Shelly Manne. Also the recordings he made with Clifford Brown & Zoot Sims on which he played valve trombone. There aren't many trumpet players who can switch from trumpet to trombone with equal facility and creativity, but I think Stu did it better than anyone. Listen him on the rare 'On Stage' with the Bill Perkins Octet. Did I read somewhere that he got totally screwed up with drugs and gave up music completely?