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- Duration: 2:35
- Published: 17 Mar 2011
- Uploaded: 06 Aug 2011
- Author: MrMaymac
Name | Ray Anthony |
---|---|
Background | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
Birth name | Raymond Antonini |
Birth date | January 20, 1922 |
Birth place | Bentleyville, Pennsylvania, United States |
Instrument | Trumpet |
Genre | Bandleader, trumpeter |
Years active | 1940s - present |
Label | Columbia, Capitol |
Associated acts | Pied Pipers, Frank Sinatra |
From 1953-1954 Anthony was the musical director on the television series TV's Top Tunes, and he also appeared as himself in the 1955 film Daddy Long Legs. He starred in a short-lived television 1956-1957 variety show, The Ray Anthony Show. Anthony also appeared in several films during the late 1950s, including The Five Pennies (where he portrayed Jimmy Dorsey), and Van Doren's movies High School Confidential as "Bix" and Girls Town. In the 1959-1960 television season, he guest starred in the episode "Operation Ramrod" of David Hedison's espionage series Five Fingers on NBC.
After van Doren filed for divorce in 1958, citing cruelty, they finally divorced in 1960, and Anthony's brief film career ended at about the same time. However, he continued his musical career and had another hit record with the theme from Peter Gunn, which reached #8 on Billboard's pop chart. Among his pianists was Allen "Puddler" Harris, a native of Franklin Parish, Louisiana, who had been a member of the original Ricky Nelson band and Kellie Green, who also played the vibraphone.
Anthony was considered one of the most modern of the big band leaders. In the lyrics to "Opus One", which imagine a number of players performing the song, he is cited along with Les Brown and his Band of Renown:
:If Mr. Les Brown can make it renowned :And Ray Anthony could rock it for me
Anthony and his band were also featured in the movie, The Girl Can't Help It, and were treated as one of the rockers in the line-up, but also shown in performances with Mansfield that are essential to the plot.
Ray Anthony's compositions include "Thurderbird", "Bunny Hop", "Trumpet Boogie", "Big Band Boogie", and "Mr. Anthony's Boogie".
In the early 1980s, Anthony formed Big Band '80s, other members including Buddy Rich, Harry James, Les Brown, and Alvino Rey.
Anthony has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
As of May 2011, Anthony was still active as a bandleader and musician, and is one of the oldest living big band bandleaders.
Anthony has a close friendship with Hugh Hefner, which has resulted in him appearing in numerous episodes of The Girls Next Door.
Category:1922 births Category:Living people Category:American jazz trumpeters Category:American jazz bandleaders Category:American music arrangers Category:Musicians from Pennsylvania Category:American film actors Category:American television actors Category:Musicians from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Category:Ace Records artists
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