Billy May

William E. May, better known as Billy May (10 November, 1916 - 22 January, 2004) was a United States composer, arranger and musician.

Related Topics:
10 November - 1916 - 22 January - 2004 - United States - Composer - Arranger - Musician

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

May was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He played trumpet professionally in big bands such as those of Charlie Barnet starting in 1939, but became best known as a talented arranger. His arrangement of the Ray Noble composition Cherokee became a major hit of the swing music era.

Related Topics:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Trumpet - Big band - Charlie Barnet - 1939 - Ray Noble - Swing music

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

May worked as an arranger for the bands of Glenn Miller and Les Brown before being hired as staff arranger first for the National Broadcasting Company radio network, then for Capitol Records. At Capitol his studio big band accompanied such artists as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, producing many hit records.

Related Topics:
Glenn Miller - Les Brown - National Broadcasting Company - Radio network - Capitol Records - Frank Sinatra - Bing Crosby

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His charts often featured brisk tempos and intricate brass parts. A distinctive feature of his style is his frequent use of trumpet mute devices.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Billy May died of heart failure at the age of 87 in his home in San Juan Capistrano, California.

Related Topics:
Heart failure - San Juan Capistrano, California

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~