American Songbook Blogs

November 23, 1925 – June 29, 2020 Johnny Mandel was a tremendous composer, musician and arranger of popular songs, jazz and film scores. Johnny studied music at both the Manhattan School of Music as well as Julliard. In the early 1940s, early in his career, Johnny played trumpet and trombone iin several well known big bands, including Joe Venuti, Boyd Raeburn, Buddy Rich, and Count Basie. Even though he was a fine “sideman” Johny made substantial contributions as a composer/arranger. After leaving the Basie Band in the early 1950s, Johnny played his horns down and concentrated in composing and arranging (he figured playing with Basie was as good as it was ever gonna get)! He went on to work with just about every major vocalist of the 1950s until his passing. Some of Johnny’s movie theme songs include Theme from M.A.S.H (Suicide Is Painless)., the incredible Them from The Sandpipers (Shadow of Your Smile) and Theme from the Americanization of Emily (Emily) were just a few of Johnny’s contribution to our American Songbook. He won 5 GRAMY Awards (nominated for 17), nominated for Academy Awards and on and on. Happy Birthday Johnny! https://youtu.be/exnIqFkO6Ps?si=F3KcA11kPakxPfIi