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Archive for the ‘Arranger’ Category

RIP, George Rountree (October 30, 2011) Four Tops Musical Director

Posted by themusicsover on October 30, 2011

George Rountree
May 13, 1950 – October 30,2011

George Rountree is perhaps best remembered as the long time music director for legendary Motown group, the Four Tops.  For over 30 years, Rountree helped the quartet deliver its best possible sound to adoring fans around the world.  He also served as their arranger, composer, and keyboardist from time to time.  Throughout the years, Rountree also performed with the likes of Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Temptations, Martha Reeves, and Frankie Valli, to name a few.  George Rountree was 61 when he passed away on October 30, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.



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RIP, Pete Rugolo (October 16, 2011) Jazz Composer & Arranger

Posted by themusicsover on October 16, 2011

Pietro Rugolo
December 25, 1915 – October 16, 2011

Pete Rugolo was an Italian born American jazz composer and arranger who, over a career that spanned over five decades worked on albums by the likes of June Christy, Nat King Cole, Harry Belafonte, Mel Torme, and Stan Kenton.  Throughout the ’60s and ’70s, Rugolo focused primarily on television, helping create music for such TV programs as Leave It To Beaver, The Fugitive, Run For Your Life, and many others.  He also arranged and composed music for several films up until his retirement in the late ’90s.  Pete Rugolo was 95 when he passed away on October 16, 2011.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.



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RIP, Wardell Quezergue (September 6, 2011) New Orleans R&B Legend

Posted by themusicsover on September 6, 2011

Wardell Quezergue
March 12, 1930 – September 6, 2011

Photo by Chris Granger

Wardell Quezergue was without a doubt one of the most important figures in New Orleans R&B for the better part of the last 60 years. It was during the ’40s that Quezergue began making his mark on the music world as a member of Dave Bartholomew’s band.  After a stint in the Army band in Korea, he settled back in New Orleans where he formed his own group and label, and began arranging pieces for the likes of Fats Domino and Professor Longhair.  As Quezergue’s reputation as an arranger and producer grew, so did the list of artists who wanted to employ his services.  Over the year’s that list grew to include the likes of the Dixie Cups (“Iko Iko”), Jean Knight (“Mr. Big Stuff”), Aaron Neville, Paul Simon, the Spinners, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, and Dr. John for whom he produced and arranged the Grammy-winning Goin’ Back To New Orleans.  Sadly, Quezergue lost most of his possessions to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but a fund raiser by many leading musicians helped him get back on his feet.   Wardell Quezergue was 81 when he died of congestive heart failure on September 6, 2011.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus of the Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

What You Should Own

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Wardell Quezergue

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RIP, Frank Foster (July 26, 2011) American Jazz Sax Great

Posted by themusicsover on July 26, 2011

Frank Foster
September 23, 1928 – July 26, 2011

Frank Foster was a jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger who is most often associated with Count Basie for whom he played for many years.  Foster learned to play the sax and other wind instruments at a young age, and after going to college and serving in Korea for the U.S. Army, Foster joined the Count Basie Orchestra where he stayed for the next two decades.   While in Basie’s employ, Foster also arranged many of his songs.  That list includes “Shiny Stockings,” “Down For The Count,” and “Blues Backstage.”  During the ’70s, Foster went off to play with Elvin Jones, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, and Jimmy Smith.  He rejoined the Count Basie Orchestra in 1986 and remained until 1995.  Throughout his career, Foster also released numerous of his own albums for such prestigious labels as Blue Note, Savoy, and Concord.  He also won two Grammys, and in 2002, he was awarded the Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment of the Arts.  In 2001, Foster suffered a stroke which left him unable to play, but he continued on as a band leader, composer, and arranger for many years to come.  On July 26, 2011, Frank Foster passed away peacefully in his sleep.  He was 82.

What You Should Own

Leo Rising - Frank Foster

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Died On This Date (March 20, 2011) Johnny Pearson / Respected English Pianist; Composed “Monday Night Football” Theme

Posted by themusicsover on March 20, 2011

Johnny Pearson
June 18, 1925 – March 20, 2011

Johnny Pearson was a British pianist, band leader, arranger, and composer of theme music for several popular TV programs.  Pearson learned to play the piano as a child, and at the age of nine was awarded a scholarship to the London Academy of Music.  Although he soon became an accomplished classical pianist, he followed his love for jazz after school and toured Europe as part of the Malcolm Mitchell Trio.    In 1964, the Pearson-arranged Cilla Black single, “Anyone Had A Heart” topped the UK charts.  In 1966, Pearson took over the Top Of The Pops Orchestra, a position he held for the next 15 years.  In 1967, he began recording with the Sounds Orchestral group who would release approximately 17 albums through 1977.  He also worked with the Carpenters and Dusty Springfield.  Throughout a career that spanned some 50 years, Pearson composed music that appeared on such television programs as All Things Great And Small Monday Night Football, Ren and Stimpy,  and The Early Show to name a few.  Johnny Pearson was 85 when he passed away on March 20, 2011.

Thanks to Anne Bentley for the assist.



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