Ray Conniff

Ray Conniff, a trombone player turned arranger for Columbia Records in 1954, revolutionized easy listening music with wordless vocal choruses and light orchestral accompaniment. His unique style garnered him 12 Top Ten LPs and over 50 million album sales, making him one of the top-selling artists of all time. Despite waning popularity in the late '60s, Conniff continued to record and tour globally until slipping off the charts in the early '70s.

Born in 1916, Ray Conniff honed his musical talents early, leading a band in high school and eventually playing with notable orchestras like Bunny Berigan and Bob Crosby's Bobcats. After serving in the Army during World War II, Conniff emerged as a successful arranger and solo artist, producing hits like "Band of Gold" and "Chances Are." Incorporating elements of rock and pop into his repertoire, Conniff continued to release albums and perform until his passing in 2002 at the age of 85.