Ray Conniff

Ray Conniff (Deceased) Ray Conniff was an American bandleader, arranger, composer, and trombonist best known for his distinctive easy-listening orchestral and choral recordings. He was born on November 6, 1916, in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Conniff began his career as a musician and arranger during the big-band era, working with performers such as Artie Shaw, Bob Crosby, and Harry James. He later became a successful arranger for Columbia Records, contributing to recordings by artists including Johnny Mathis and Guy Mitchell. In the 1950s, Conniff formed the Ray Conniff Singers and developed a recognizable sound that blended lush orchestral arrangements with wordless or lightly sung vocal harmonies. His albums became extremely popular throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Among his best-known recordings and albums were versions of popular standards, movie themes, and contemporary hits arranged in his distinctive style. He sold millions of records worldwide and enjoyed especially strong popularity in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Ray Conniff died on October 12, 2002, at age 85.