Ray Conniff was an American musician who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s with his innovative arrangements of pop songs and big band music. He was best known for his Ray Conniff Singers, a vocal group that blended harmoniously with his orchestra. He produced more than 100 albums and won a Grammy Award in 1966 for his rendition of “Somewhere My Love” from the film Doctor Zhivago. He also worked with many famous artists, such as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Rosemary Clooney, and Marty Robbins.
Early Life and Career
Ray Conniff was born on November 6, 1916, in Attleboro, Massachusetts. He learned to play the trombone from his father and studied music arranging from a course book. He started his professional career as a trombonist in various big bands, such as Bunny Berigan, Bob Crosby, and Artie Shaw. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he worked under Walter Schumann.
In 1951, he was hired by Columbia Records as a house arranger, where he created successful arrangements for many singers, such as Johnnie Ray, Frankie Laine, Guy Mitchell, and Don Cherry. He also backed up albums by Tony Bennett, Eileen Rodgers, and Johnnie Ray.
Breakthrough and Success
In 1956, Conniff got his chance to record as a featured performer with his own orchestra and chorus. His debut album, S’Wonderful, was a huge hit and stayed on the Top 20 charts for nine months. He followed it with more popular albums, such as ‘S Marvelous, ‘S Awful Nice, and Concert in Rhythm. He also experimented with different genres, such as Latin, classical, and rock and roll.
His most memorable song was “Somewhere My Love”, which he adapted from Maurice Jarre’s “Lara’s Theme” from the film Doctor Zhivago. The song topped the pop and easy-listening charts and won him a Grammy Award in 1966. He also received countless international awards and performed in many countries, including Russia, Brazil, and Chile. He was one of the first American artists to record in Moscow with a local choir in 1974.
Death and Legacy
Ray Conniff died on October 12, 2002, at the age of 85. He had suffered a stroke in April and fell down and hit his head at his home in Escondido, California. He was taken to Palomar Medical Center, where he passed away. He was survived by his second wife, Vera, and his three children from his first marriage.
Ray Conniff left behind a rich musical legacy that influenced many artists and genres. He was one of the pioneers of using vocal elements in pop arrangements and creating a distinctive sound that appealed to millions of listeners. He sold over 70 million albums worldwide and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004. He is remembered as one of the most successful and versatile musicians of the 20th century.
