Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

July 3, 1915 in East Boston, MA

Death

:

August 10, 1976 in Dallas, TX

Genre

:

Film

 

Jerry Gray was an American composer and arranger who was born on July 3, 1915, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the son of a trumpet player and began playing the trumpet himself at a young age. Gray's family moved to California when he was a child, and he continued to pursue his musical interests throughout his youth. Gray's early career was marked by his work as a trumpeter and arranger for various big bands, including those led by Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. He also worked as a staff arranger for Paramount Pictures, where he wrote music for films such as "The Big Broadcast of 1937" and "College Holiday." In the 1940s, Gray became the arranger for the Glenn Miller Orchestra, which was one of the most popular bands of the era. Gray's arrangements for the band included hits such as "In the Mood," "Moonlight Serenade," and "String of Pearls." He also wrote several original compositions for the band, including "Pennsylvania 6-5000" and "A String of Trumpets." After Miller's death in 1944, Gray continued to work as an arranger and composer for various bands and artists. He wrote arrangements for the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, the Benny Goodman Orchestra, and the Andrews Sisters, among others. He also worked as a staff arranger for Capitol Records, where he wrote arrangements for artists such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Peggy Lee. In the 1950s, Gray began to focus more on composing and arranging for television and film. He wrote music for several popular TV shows, including "The Jackie Gleason Show," "The Red Skelton Show," and "The Ed Sullivan Show." He also wrote music for films such as "The Glenn Miller Story" and "The Benny Goodman Story." Gray's most famous composition from this period was "The Stripper," which he wrote for a TV show called "Burlesque." The song became a hit and has since been used in numerous films and TV shows. In the 1960s, Gray continued to work as a composer and arranger for TV and film. He wrote music for shows such as "The Lucy Show," "The Danny Thomas Show," and "The Dick Van Dyke Show." He also wrote music for films such as "The Nutty Professor" and "The Disorderly Orderly." Gray's final years were marked by health problems, and he died on August 10, 1976, in Dallas, Texas. Despite his relatively short life, Gray left behind a legacy of memorable compositions and arrangements that continue to be celebrated by fans of big band and swing music.

More....