Popmundial.com Radios (online) - Music Around the World by Popmundial.org

Instrumentals Forever: Great Sounds of the world: Ray Conniff (1916 - 2002) REMEMBERED, pioneer in stereophonic sounds: rare recordings, incl. an excerpt of a CONCERT 1982 with the RIAS Berlin Bigband, conducted by Ray Conniff, Playout Ray sings "My Way"


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... was the arranger and soloist of the Artie Shaw Bigband in the swing area; there he created his typical sound, which is unique as Glenn Miller, perfectionated with his own orchestra.

Conniff was born November 6, 1916, in Attleboro, Massachusetts, . and learned to... play the trombone from his father. He studied music arranging from a course book.

After serving in the U.S. Army in World War II (where he worked under Walter Schumann), he joined the Artie Shaw big band and wrote many arrangements for him. After his stint with Shaw, he was hired in 1954 by Mitch Miller, head of A&R at Columbia Records, as the label's home arranger, working with several artists including Rosemary Clooney, Marty Robbins, Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, Guy Mitchell and Johnnie R. He wrote a top-10 arrangement for Don Cherry's "Band of Gold" in 1955, a single that sold more than a million copi. Among the hit singles Conniff backed with his orchestra (and eventually with a male chorus) were "Yes Tonight Josephine" and "Just Walkin' in the Rain" by Johnnie Ray.

Between 1957 and 1968, Conniff had 28 albums in the American Top 40, the most famous one being Somewhere My Love (1966).

(except Wiki)


These here are some highlights of his career, incl.

(mostly unknown): Johnny Ray, Yes Tonight, Just Waling In the RainRay Connif (whistling); Walking and Whistling


an excerpt of a rare concert with the RIAS BERLIN BIGBAND,

 conducted by Ray Conniff

With the Rosy Singers


playing in the typical Ray Conniff treatment:

On the Street Where You Live,

and typical German melodies, incl.:

Berliner Luft 

Ich hab mein Herz in Heidelberg verloren

Hoch auf dem gelben Wagen


also at the begining:

Johnnie Ray & Ray Conniff: Yes Tonight Josephine and Just Walking inn the Rain

Somwhere My Love

S' Wonderful

Gentle On My Mind


and very early mono recordings:

Cross Over

Up Above My Head (Johnnie Ray & Frankie Laine)

Walking and Whistling


Playout: Ray Conniff live in concert, Ray sings " My Way"


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Popmundial.com Radios (online) - Music Around the World by Popmundial.orgBy Popmundial Services