Born in Massachusetts, Ralph Burns began studying piano at an early age, eventually leading him to the New England Conservatory of Music. He first gained the attention of the jazz world through his work with Charlie Barnet in the early 1940s before becoming a member of Woody Herman's Thundering Herd. Burns was responsible for crafting some of Herman's best-known arrangements, including "Early Autumn" and "Apple Honey."

By the 1960s, Burns had retired from touring to embark on a highly productive and acclaimed career arranging and orchestrating Broadway musicals, including "Chicago." He became involved in film scoring in the 1970s, winning Academy Awards for his roles as musical supervisor for "Cabaret" and "All That Jazz." He also won a Tony award in 1999 for his work as an orchestrator for "Fosse." Burns passed away in 2002.