Garcia, Russ
Russ Garcia was born in Oakland, CA in 1916. In his late teens he enrolled in San Francisco State University only to find that he was not learning as quickly or as much as he thought he would. He later found out that studying with Hollywood's best teachers would move him quicker down the path that he envisioned. He studied harmony, composition, orchestration, counterpoint, and compositional form. Realizing his intense interest in composing and arranging he decided it would be beneficial to take lessons on just about every instrument that he may some day need to write for. While in his early 20s he had the opportunity to regularly conduct a symphony orchestra in the Hollywood area. This too would give him real world experience in writing and conducting for large ensembles.
In 1939 the composer of the radio show This is Our America was sick and it was suggested that Garcia be hired as a substitute. The director of the show, Ronald Reagan, loved Garcia's work and hired him. Reagan's wife at the time, Jane Wyman, later reached out to NBC and recommended Garcia. He was then hired as a staff composer/arranger. This position led him to come in contact with many of the important musicians and band leaders of the time period. He later was recruited by Universal Studios where he went to work as composer, arranger and conductor in the 1950s. That relationship lasted 15 years.
Some of Garcia's brightest moments include: Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald's Porgy and Bess (1957); Louis Armstrong big band and string sessions in 1957 released in 1960 as I've Got the World on a String; Julie London's albums About the Blues and Make Love to Me (1957); Anita O'Day Sings the Winners (1958); Mel Torme Swingin' on the Moon, and Stan Getz Cool Velvet (1960). He was in high demand as he was one of the few jazz composers that could successfully score for films and conduct classically oriented music.
In 1966 he gave up the Hollywood life and set out on his sailboat with his wife. They settled in New Zealand where he lived out the remainder of his life.
IF I COULD BE WITH YOU (ONE HOUR TONIGHT)
Recorded by Julie London
Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-9858
$55.00
IF I COULD BE WITH YOU (ONE HOUR TONIGHT) [DOWNLOAD]
Recorded by Julie London
Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-9858DL
$55.00
NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN
Recorded by Louis Armstrong
Jazz String Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-9930
$55.00
NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN [DOWNLOAD]
Recorded by Louis Armstrong
Jazz String Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-9930DL
$55.00
Recorded by Louis Armstrong
Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-9934
$55.00
WHEN YOUR LOVER HAS GONE [DOWNLOAD]
Recorded by Louis Armstrong
Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Vocal
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-9934DL
$55.00
Recorded by Ella Fitzgerald
Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-9974
$75.00
YOU MAKE ME FEEL SO YOUNG [DOWNLOAD]
Recorded by Ella Fitzgerald
Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-9974DL
$75.00
Recorded by Louis Armstrong
Jazz Brass Band Arrangement with Vocal
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-9932
$75.00
Recorded by Louis Armstrong
Jazz Brass Band Arrangement with Vocal
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-9932DL
$75.00