Gary McFarland

Gary McFarland
Born (1933-10-23)23 October 1933
Los Angeles, California
Died 3 November 1971(1971-11-03) (aged 38)
New York City, New York
Cause of death accidental overdose of Methadone
Occupation American film composer
Years active 1963 - 1971

Gary McFarland (October 23, 1933 - November 3, 1971)[1] was an influential composer, arranger, vibraphonist and vocalist, prominent on Verve and Impulse! Records during the 1960s, when he made "one of the more significant contributors to orchestral jazz".[1]

Life

McFarland was born in Los Angeles, California, on October 23, 1933.

He attained a small following after working with Bill Evans, Gerry Mulligan, Johnny Hodges, John Lewis, Stan Getz, Bob Brookmeyer, and Anita O'Day.[1]

As well as his own albums and arrangements for other musicians he composed the scores to the films Eye of the Devil (1966) and Who Killed Mary What's 'Er Name? (1971). By the end of the 1960s he was moving away from jazz towards an often wistful or melancholy style of instrumental pop, as well as producing the recordings of other artists on his Skye Records label (run in partnership with Gábor Szabó and Cal Tjader until its bankruptcy in 1970).

Death

McFarland was considering a move into writing and arranging for film and stage when, on November 3, 1971, he was poisoned with methadone in a New York City bar.[1]

Bill Evans performed "Gary's Waltz" in 1979, shortly before his own death.

Discography

As leader

Skye Records
Impulse! Records
Verve Records
Other labels

As producer/arranger

As sideman

With Bob Brookmeyer

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 allmusic Biography

External links

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