Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

November 10, 1916 in Pittsburgh, PA

Death

:

January 22, 2004 in San Juan Capistrano, CA

 

Billy May was an American composer, arranger, and trumpeter who was born on November 10, 1916, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a musical family. His father played the trumpet and his mother played the piano. May started playing the trumpet at the age of six and was soon performing in local bands. May attended the University of Pittsburgh and studied music theory and composition. He also played in the university's jazz band and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity. After graduating in 1938, May moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. May's first job in New York was as a trumpeter in the Charlie Barnet Orchestra. He quickly became known for his arranging skills and was soon writing arrangements for the band. In 1940, May joined the Glenn Miller Orchestra as a trumpeter and arranger. He wrote some of the band's most famous arrangements, including "In the Mood" and "String of Pearls." During World War II, May served in the United States Army Air Forces. He was a member of the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band and wrote arrangements for the band. After the war, May returned to New York and continued his career as an arranger and composer. May worked with many famous musicians during his career, including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald. He wrote arrangements for Sinatra's albums "Come Fly with Me" and "Come Dance with Me!" which both won Grammy Awards for Album of the Year. May also arranged and conducted the music for the television show "The Naked City" and the film "The Green Hornet." May's compositions are known for their big band sound and swing style. Some of his most famous compositions include "Charmaine," "Fat Man Boogie," and "Lean Baby." He also wrote the theme music for several television shows, including "The Mod Squad" and "Batman." May continued to work in the music industry until his death on January 22, 2004, at the age of 87. He was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1999. In conclusion, Billy May was a talented composer, arranger, and trumpeter who made significant contributions to the world of music. He wrote some of the most famous arrangements for the Glenn Miller Orchestra and worked with many famous musicians during his career. May's compositions are known for their big band sound and swing style, and his music continues to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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