Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

April 16, 1924 in Cleveland, OH

Death

:

June 14, 1994 in Los Angeles, CA

Genre

:

Film

 

Henry Mancini was an American composer, conductor, and arranger who is best known for his contributions to the world of film and television music. Born on April 16, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio, Mancini was the son of Italian immigrants. His father, Quinto, was a steelworker, and his mother, Anna, was a seamstress. Mancini showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of eight. Mancini's family moved to Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, when he was a teenager, and he continued to pursue his musical interests. He played in local bands and studied music theory and composition. After graduating from high school, Mancini attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, where he studied music composition and orchestration. After serving in the Army during World War II, Mancini moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He began working as a pianist and arranger for the Glenn Miller Orchestra and later worked for the Universal-International film studio as a composer and arranger. Mancini's first major film score was for the 1954 film "The Glenn Miller Story," which earned him his first Academy Award nomination. Mancini's breakthrough came in 1961 with his score for the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's." The film's theme song, "Moon River," became an instant classic and won Mancini an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Mancini went on to compose music for numerous other films, including "Days of Wine and Roses," "The Pink Panther," and "Victor/Victoria." He won a total of four Academy Awards and was nominated for many others. In addition to his work in film, Mancini also composed music for television. He wrote the theme songs for several popular TV shows, including "Peter Gunn," "Mr. Lucky," and "The Pink Panther Show." Mancini's music was known for its catchy melodies, lush orchestration, and jazzy rhythms. Mancini's music was also popular in the world of pop music. He collaborated with lyricist Johnny Mercer on several songs, including "Moon River," "Days of Wine and Roses," and "Charade." These songs were recorded by many popular singers, including Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, and Johnny Mathis. Mancini continued to compose music until his death in 1994. His music remains popular today and is often used in films, TV shows, and commercials. Mancini's contributions to the world of music have earned him a place in the pantheon of great American composers.

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