Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

August 27, 1922

Death

:

March 21, 1990

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

Rayburn Wright was an American composer, arranger, and conductor who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on September 28, 1922, in Lamar, Missouri, Wright grew up in a musical family. His father was a band director, and his mother was a pianist. Wright began playing the trumpet at a young age and later learned to play the piano and other instruments. Wright attended the University of Missouri, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1943. He then served in the United States Army during World War II, where he played in the Army band. After the war, Wright continued his education at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Master of Music degree in 1948. Wright began his career as a music educator, teaching at several universities, including the University of Rochester, the University of Miami, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He also served as the director of the Eastman Jazz Ensemble and the Eastman Jazz Workshop. In addition to his work as an educator, Wright was a prolific composer and arranger. He wrote music for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, jazz bands, and chamber groups. Some of his most notable works include "Concerto for Jazz Soloist and Orchestra," "Suite for Jazz Orchestra," and "Symphony for Jazz Orchestra." Wright was also known for his work as an arranger. He arranged music for several prominent jazz musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Kenton, and Maynard Ferguson. He also arranged music for television shows, such as "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." Throughout his career, Wright received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of music. In 1972, he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Fellowship. He was also inducted into the International Association for Jazz Education Hall of Fame in 1991. Wright passed away on December 1, 1990, at the age of 68. However, his legacy lives on through his music and the countless musicians he inspired and taught throughout his career.

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