Johnny Mandel is a composer, arranger, record producer, bandleader and musician. His whole life has been comprised of musical achievement. As a trumpeter and trombonist he played in the bands of Artie Shaw, Jimmy Dorsey, Count Basie, and Woody Herman. He transitioned into arranging. As an arranger, Mandel worked with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Chet Baker, Peggy Lee and Andy Williams…the greatest singers of the day. However, the work of Johnny Mandel could not be confined to just making albums. Mandel composed scores for movies and then with some of the greatest lyricists including Johnny Mercer and Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Johnny Mandel has composed songs increasingly referred to as “standards”—“Emily,” “The Shadow of Your Smile,” “Close Enough for Love” and “Where Do You Start?” as well as the unforgettable melody of the M * A * S * H * television show.
In the humble opinion of this host, Johnny Mandel is one of the greatest composers in American music and an artistic treasure. It was a great honor to interview a man who has contributed greatly. Enjoy listening here on The Paul Leslie Hour.
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