Jazz trumpeter and soundtrack composer Neal Hefti died in Los Angeles, it was reported this morning. Hefti wrote, arranged, and played in big bands with such major names as Count Basie and Woody Herman, and he also arranged for Frank Sinatra and worked in film. But it’s his work for the small screen that is best remembered. Hefti is responsible for two of the catchiest songs ever written: the theme to The Odd Couple, which was originally used in the movie and then (see above) repurposed to great effect on the ABC sitcom version; and the first song Prince ever learned to play on piano, which we’ve placed after the jump. Hefti was 83.
Neal Hefti, the American jazz trumpeter, dies in LA [Telegraph]
@MayhemintheHood: it is not a hard find (DVD available at Amazon & other vendors for around $12.99)… it’s not really a documentary but a satirical black comedy starring Roddy McDowell and Tuesday Weld (and the soundtrack is excellent, particularly the theme song.. hey hey hey!)
What dippinkind said — no, not a doc; however, it was partially (fully?) filmed in OC and really has to be seen through that lens for it to be fully appreciated. Trust me.
and what ned said - it was partially filmed in Newport Beach (imdb also lists Beverly Hills and Los Angeles as locations). AND the credits with the Neal Hefti composed theme song (performed by The Wild Ones) turns out to be on the YouTube:
+ Watch video
@MayhemintheHood: Well, that would be one person mourning James Newton Howard.
@Ned Raggett: @dippinkind: as an OC resident, I am definitely going to seek this one out.
@dippinkind: Dude, that song is hot. Thanks.
aw… Mr. Hefti also composed the soundtrack to my favorite film, Lord Love A Duck.
@dippinkind: Glad to see someone else around here who loves that film. Best documentary about Orange County ever. As it were.
:(
Man. I’d be a lot more torn up if I hadn’t already thought in the back of my mind that he must have already died years ago.
Hey, is that the Balboa Fun Zone at 0:41 - 0:51?
@Ned Raggett: Orange County documentary?! Interesting…is it a hard find?
I saw “Batman composer dead” on an RSS feed and I must admit I clicked on it because I was afraid it was either Hans Zimmer or James Newton Howard. The Dark Knight soundtrack is so amazing, and I don’t want either of those guys going away any time soon.
The Batman tv song was cool too.