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Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra was a prominent classical music ensemble that was active during the mid-20th century. The ensemble was founded by Gordon Jenkins, a renowned American composer, arranger, and conductor, who was known for his innovative approach to music. Gordon Jenkins was born on May 12, 1910, in Webster Groves, Missouri. He began his music career as a pianist and arranger for various bands in the 1930s. In 1935, he joined the NBC radio network as a staff arranger and conductor, where he worked with some of the most prominent musicians of the time, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Ella Fitzgerald. In 1940, Jenkins formed his own orchestra, which he named Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra. The ensemble consisted of some of the most talented musicians of the time, including trumpeter Ziggy Elman, saxophonist Ben Webster, and drummer Buddy Rich. The orchestra quickly gained popularity for its unique sound, which blended classical music with jazz and pop influences. One of the highlights of Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra's career was their performance at the 1941 Carnegie Hall concert, which was organized by jazz impresario John Hammond. The concert featured some of the most prominent musicians of the time, including Benny Goodman, Count Basie, and Billie Holiday. Jenkins and his orchestra performed a number of their most popular compositions, including "Goodbye," "Blue Prelude," and "I'm Through With Love." In 1942, Jenkins and his orchestra recorded their first album, "Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra Play Glenn Miller Favorites." The album featured some of Miller's most popular compositions, including "Moonlight Serenade," "In the Mood," and "Chattanooga Choo Choo." The album was a commercial success and helped to establish Jenkins and his orchestra as one of the most popular ensembles of the time. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra continued to record and perform some of the most popular compositions of the time. They recorded a number of albums, including "Seven Dreams," "Manhattan Tower," and "The Voice of Frank Sinatra." The latter album, which was released in 1946, featured some of Sinatra's most popular songs, including "All or Nothing at All," "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)," and "The House I Live In." In addition to their recordings, Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra also performed at some of the most prestigious venues of the time, including the Hollywood Bowl, the Waldorf Astoria, and the Palace Theatre. They also performed on a number of popular radio and television shows, including "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Jack Benny Program." One of the most notable achievements of Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra was their collaboration with Frank Sinatra on the album "Where Are You?" The album, which was released in 1957, featured some of Sinatra's most popular ballads, including "I'm a Fool to Want You," "Glad to Be Unhappy," and "I'll Never Smile Again." The album was a critical and commercial success and is still considered one of Sinatra's best recordings. Despite their success, Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra disbanded in the late 1950s, as Jenkins began to focus more on his work as a composer and arranger. However, their legacy lives on, as their unique blend of classical music, jazz, and pop influences continues to inspire musicians to this day. In conclusion, Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra was a prominent classical music ensemble that was active during the mid-20th century.

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