ASMAC (American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers)

Van Alexander co-wrote “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” with Ella Fitzgerald while both worked in the Chick Webb Orchestra back in 1938. The success of that song led to a job as arranger for Webb as well as Benny Goodman and Paul Whiteman and super stardom for Ella. Van formed his own band during the wonderful swing era but gave it up to work in the movies when Bing Crosby offered him a job in 1948.

John Altman, the world-renowned composer, grew up in a musically rich family and found his own passion for music at an very young age. His uncles (Woolf and Sid Phillips) were successful arrangers, bandleaders and conductors and his cousin Simon Phillips is best known as the drummer for Toto. John played saxophone in several bands growing up with the likes of Peter Green, Jimi Hendrix and Hot Chocolate for whom he served as the groups musical director. Playing as a Studio Musician for several years led to arranging and composing projects including movies such as James Cameron’s Ti

Larry Blank was greatly influenced by attending Broadway musicals with his parents as a kid. As a result he studied drama yet realized he wanted to be a musician. Larry played piano growing up and as a teenager had opportunities to perform for small musical shows. Word soon spread of his abilities resulting in Larry becoming one of the youngest conductors on Broadway when he worked with Joel Grey in the show Goodtime Charley. He went on the road with A Chorus Line and served as conductor for Marvin Hamlisch’s They’re Playing Our Song on Broadway, which Larry always thought was a w

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ray Charles, or as he called himself "The Other Ray Charles" was a choral director whose choir backed such singers as Perry Como and Bing Crosby. Ray enjoyed a successful career in television and can even be heard singing the theme song for the 1970s comedy "Three's Company" (Come and Knock on Our Door). Countless school children around the country learned the names of the states with a song he wrote entitled, "Fifty Nifty United States." He was also a st

Gayle Levant is the award-winning harpist who became the first woman to serve as President of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC) which was formed in 1938!  In the 1960s she followed in her father’s footsteps and began working as a studio musician in Los Angeles.

Johnny Mandel brought his unique talents as a composer and arranger from jazz clubs to the big screen during a brilliant career that spanned over 60 years! As a songwriter, he spent several years in the 1940s and 50s plugging his songs in the Brill Building in New York which was the hotspot for music publishing at the time. He spent years working in Hollywood and for big bands as well as penning popular songs for artists such as Tony Bennett and Peggy Lee.

Sylvester Rivers has applied his musical talents to thousands of hit recordings over the years as well as music for television and motion pictures. His list of credits includes several categories as pianist, arranger, and musical director. The list of iconic performers he has worked with is just as impressive and yet at the very center of these accomplishments is a gentle and giving soul who loves making music. His friendly personality and talents as a musician may explain why so many people want to work with him. He is dedicated to his craft and works hard to provide programs tha