television scoring

Jimmy Cheatham was one of the coolest jazz cats in the industry. Having worked with many of the top jazz players such as Duke Ellington and Ornette Coleman, Jimmy brought the sounds of tradition jazz to film scores and television programs over several decades. Jimmy’s warm personality was only watched by the smooth sounds of his trombone. When teamed with his wife, the jazz and blues pianist Jeannie Cheatham, the tones were unmistakable, clear and often strikingly intimate.

Milton DeLugg wrote many remarkable and popular songs such as "Orange Blossom Sky," recorded by Nat King Cole. He wrote TV theme songs and stacks of movie music. All the while, he was working with and becoming friends with the great American tunesmiths, being one of them himself. Luckily for our archives, Milton's interview includes several incredible stories from the all-but-forgotten days of Tin Pan Alley.

Vic Mizzy wrote a number of hit songs for popular music, movies and television beginning in the 1940s. He wrote “The Jones Boy” for the Mills Brothers and is perhaps best known for writing TV theme songs for Green Acres and The Addams Family (for which he also sang on the original recording). As he began to work in the movies in the 1960s, Vic became active in ASCAP and other elements within movie contracts to ensure the rights of the songwriter and his art was protected.

Emil Richards has played a significant role in the expanded use and knowledge of world percussion instruments. Through his recordings and work for TV and the movies, Emil has become known for adding dashes of new sounds and flavors to many of the nearly 2,000 films including authentic Russian instruments for “Doctor Zhivago” (1965). Emil has also played a large role in the development of PAS museum, which now includes several rare percussive instruments he has donated for display.