While walking with my daughter on Tenth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen, we talked as we always do, about many subjects. (Above right: a budding Itzhak Perlman busking on the Mall in Central Park. The atmosphere of Manhattan is very conducive to allowing talented people to blossom and grow. One thing, among many, that has always astonished me about New York is the colossal level of self-expression one finds there. But if one is willing to seek and find the myriad riches that are available there, and maintain one’s sense of humor when dealing with the endless variations and permutations of the human condition one will encounter while searching, the rewards can be great. If one is uneasy being challenged minute to minute, or being jostled out of one’s comfort zone, I strongly suggest not going to New York City. It reminds me that before I set foot in New York City, I must get into a New York state of mind. His song, “New York State of Mind,” though hardly a masterwork musically or lyrically, nevertheless has always struck a chord with me. Although I am not a fan of Billy Joel’s music, I recognize that whatever he does musically, he has a lot of talent. I learned long ago that whenever I travel from my home in a sleepy midwestern town to New York City, I have to first adjust my attitude to make the most of the visit. As is always the case, I was amazed, delighted, saddened, exasperated, invigorated, exhausted, depressed and inspired, often at the same time, by that incredible metropolis. Recently, I was in Manhattan visiting my adult children, and attending to a number of other matters. I will give the detective who finds this information full credit.) ![]() If anyone has this information, please contact me. (I have searched for a listing of the exact personnel of the orchestra Mancini used to record “The Pink Panther Theme” without success. Henry Mancini, directing an orchestra of Hollywood studio musicians including: Plas Johnson, tenor saxophone (and possibly) Pete Candoli, Ray Triscari, Frank Beach and Don Fagerquist, trumpest Dick Nash, Jimmy Priddy, John Halliburton, tenor trombones Karl De Karske, bass trombone Ted Nash and Wilbur Schwartz, alto saxophones and flutes Gene Cipriano and Justin Gordon, tenor saxophones and flutes Ronny Lang, baritone saxophone and flute Jimmy Rowles, piano Bob Bain, guitar Rollie Bundock, bass Larry Bunker, vibraphone Shelly Manne, drums, plus a string section. Exactly." Quincy Jones, on the recording stage for "The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions."Īnd after all the hugs and the photos and the warm-ups, one of the greatest studio bands of all time was ready to lay it down.Recorded by Henry Mancini and His Orchestra for RCA Victor on Septemin Hollywood. "So, is this like a big family reunion?" asked Smith. All of them, Herbie, John Williams, we go all the way back, you know?" He was a very special person in my life, as were his two twin daughters, who used to kick my booty all the time on the pool table. When asked what it was like to be in the studio recording Mancini's music, Jones replied, "It's like having him back in my life. The Pink Panther Theme - Henry Mancini byįield, who also happens to be married to Monica Mancini, set out to re-record some of his father-in-law's biggest hits for a new album that'll come out later this year, starting with the "Peter Gunn" session. There was the haunting "Moon River," from 1961's "Breakfast at Tiffany's": But as far as a human being, they just said, 'No one comes close.'"Īnd as his reputation soared, Mancini was able to help lift up some of his friends: John Williams, of course and Quincy Jones, in an era when it was nearly impossible for him to get into film scoring.Īnd Mancini himself went on to compose some of the best-loved, most-played film music of a generation. "And you ask any one of them that are alive today, 'What do you most admire about Henry?' and they just said, 'He was one of the nicest men we've ever known.' They don't talk about the music that kind of speaks for itself. "But his peers really admired him," said Monica. ![]() "He was a very quiet, reserved kind of guy – forget when he had some red wine!" said Felice. Simple, but brilliant: The "Peter Gunn" album won the first-ever Grammy Award for album of the year.īut even with all the success, twin sisters Felice and Monica Mancini say their dad stayed humble.
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