Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 10, 1909 in Terre Haute, IN

Death

:

July 1, 1965 in New York City, NY

 

Claude Thornhill was a prominent American composer and bandleader who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on August 10, 1908, in Terre Haute, Indiana, to a family of musicians. His father, Benjamin Thornhill, was a violinist, and his mother, Martha Thornhill, was a pianist. Claude showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Thornhill's family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, when he was a child, and he continued to study music there. He attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where he studied piano, composition, and orchestration. He also played in local dance bands and gained valuable experience as a performer. In the early 1930s, Thornhill moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He quickly established himself as a talented pianist and arranger and began working with some of the top bands of the day, including those led by Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and Artie Shaw. He also worked as a staff arranger for the radio station CBS. In 1935, Thornhill formed his own band, which quickly gained a following for its unique sound and innovative arrangements. The band's style was a blend of classical and jazz music, with a focus on lush harmonies and intricate textures. Thornhill's arrangements were often compared to those of the famous composer and arranger Duke Ellington. One of the highlights of Thornhill's career was his collaboration with the composer and arranger Gil Evans. Evans joined Thornhill's band in 1941 and worked with him to develop the band's distinctive sound. Together, they created some of the most memorable arrangements of the era, including "Snowfall," "Autumn Nocturne," and "A Sunday Kind of Love." Thornhill's band also featured some of the top musicians of the day, including saxophonist Lee Konitz, trumpeter Red Rodney, and drummer Max Roach. The band's performances were known for their precision and elegance, and they quickly became one of the most popular acts on the nightclub circuit. During World War II, Thornhill's band was drafted into the US Army and became part of the Special Services Division. The band traveled throughout Europe, performing for troops and boosting morale. After the war, Thornhill reformed his band and continued to perform and record throughout the 1940s and 1950s. One of Thornhill's most famous compositions is "Robbins' Nest," which he co-wrote with saxophonist Illinois Jacquet. The song became a hit for Thornhill's band in 1947 and has since become a jazz standard, recorded by countless artists over the years. Thornhill's music was also featured in several films, including "The Human Comedy" (1943) and "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" (1947). His arrangements were known for their cinematic quality and were often compared to the work of film composers like Max Steiner and Bernard Herrmann. Thornhill continued to perform and record throughout the 1950s, but his popularity began to wane as rock and roll became the dominant musical genre. He disbanded his orchestra in 1956 and retired from music for several years. In the 1960s, Thornhill returned to music and began performing with a smaller ensemble. He also worked as a music teacher, passing on his knowledge and experience to a new generation of musicians. He continued to perform and record until his death on July 1, 1965, in Caldwell, New Jersey. Claude Thornhill's contributions to the world of classical music were significant and enduring.

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