Disco orchestration
Encyclopedia
Disco orchestration is the arranging, orchestration, and music
al production and recording techniques that went into the production of mid- to late-1970s disco
music.
s dictating the type of stylized playing method of each section of the orchestra
, down to the engineer
s and mixer
s who assembled all the elements to make a fluid, cohesive sculpture of sound through melodic continuity.
The disco orchestration stylings of different producers can be discerned by most listeners. Van McCoy's The Hustle (1975), for example, uses very different orchestration techniques from those of Silver Convention's Get Up and Boogie (1976). Van McCoy composed, arranged, and produced his song, and also conducted the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. The sound of Van McCoy's song was further influenced by the musical influences of concertmaster Gene Orloff.
Silver Convention's song was written, arranged, and produced by Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay, who conducted the Munich Symphony Orchestra
. The orchestra sound was influenced by concertmaster Fritz Sonnleitner. Here, one can only imagine the New York sound, as produced by Van McCoy, on Silver Convention's Get Up and Boogie, and the funky Munich sound, as produced by Kunze and Levay, on Van McCoy's The Hustle.
and players
of the large city symphony and philharmonic orchestras responsible for the grand productions of disco were seasoned veterans of orchestras throughout the country, some even going back to the big-band era
.
s of woodwinds, horns
, and string
s, as heard by groups such as MFSB
, The Three Degrees
, The Ritchie Family
.
Principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors originating from Philadelphia included Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, John Davis, Richie Rome
, Norman Harris
, John McFadden, Gene Whitehead, Victor Carstarphen, Jack Faith, Bunny Sigler
, Dexter Wansel
, John Usry, Bobby Martin.
's Native New Yorker (1977), arranged, produced, and conducted by Charlie Calello
, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster. Gerri Granger's Can't Take My Eyes off of You (1976), arranged, produced, and conducted by Bob Crewe
, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster. Vicki Sue Robinson
's Turn the Beat Around (1976), arranged, produced, and conducted by Warren Schatz
and George Andrews
, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster
One characterized by the mid-tempo operatic orchestrations of
Maynard Ferguson
's Pagliacci (1975), arranged, produced, and conducted by Jay Chattaway
and Bob James
, with David Nadien, concertmaster. One characterized by the mid-tempo, funky baselines and orchestrations of Roberta Flack
's Back Together Again (1979), arranged, produced, and conducted by Eric Mercury
and Arif Mardin
, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster (the style predated rap
)
One characterized by the up-tempo, Latin-infused, extravagantly-orchestrated stylings of Wing and a Prayer Fife & Drum Corps.'s Baby Face (1975), arranged, produced, and conducted by Stephen Schaeffer and David Horowitz, with David Nadien, concertmaster. Samantha Sang
's From Dance to Love (1979), arranged, produced, and conducted by Meco Monardo, Tony Bongiovi
, and Harold Wheeler, with Irving Spice, concertmaster.
Principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors from New York included Van McCoy
, Brad Baker
, Charlie Calello
, Harold Wheeler, Warren Schatz
, Tony Bongiovi
, Meco Monardo, Michael Zager
, Dennis King
, Randy Muller, Jeff Lane, Michael DeLugg, Tony Camillo
.
's Dance with Me (1979), arranged, produced, and conducted by Don Cornelius
, Dick Griffey
, and Leon Sylvers, with Janice Gower, concertmaster.
The "New York-style" mid-tempo, extravagantly-orchestrated rhythms can be heard in Love Unlimited Orchestra's My Sweet Summer Suite (1976), arranged, produced, and conducted by Barry White
and Gene Page
, with Jack Shulman
, concertmaster. Tavares
' Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel (1976), arranged, produced, and conducted by Freddie Perren
and David Blumberg
, with Paul Shure, concertmaster. One characterized by the New York-style mid-tempo 'bubbly' beat and spicy orchestrations of Phyllis Hyman
's You Know How to Love Me (1979), arranged, produced, and conducted by James Mtume
and Reggie Lucas
, with Gerald Vinci, concertmaster
New York-style uptempo beat with multi-dimensional orchestrations can be heard in High Inergy
's Shoulda Gone Dancing (1979), arranged, produced, and conducted by Donnell Jones and Gerald Lee, with Assa Drori, concertmaster.
Principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors from Los Angeles included Gene Page
, Barry White
, Dave Crawford
, Bruce Miller
, Freddie Perren
, Paul Riser
, Hal Davis
, Skip Scarborough
, Jerry Peters
, Laurin Rinder, Mike Lewis
, Carl Davis
, Sonny Sanders, Simon Soussan, Don Cornelius
, Dick Griffey
.
Rice & Beans Orchestra's You've Got Magic (1977), arranged, produced, and conducted by Pepe Luis Soto, Tato Rossi` and Hector Garrido, with David Chappell, concertmaster. Miami Sound Machine's You've Broken My Heart (1978), arranged, produced, and conducted by Thomas Fundora and Carlos Oliva
, with Bogdan Chruzcsz, concertmaster. Principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductor that derived from Miami included Cory Wade
, Bert Dovo, Clarence Reid, Willie Clark, Freddy Stonewall.
, whose major works - Haven't You Heard from 1979 and Forget-Me-Nots from 1982 - contrast sharply to demonstrate emphatically the changes from the 1970s to the 1980s.
The orchestral elements of Haven't You Heard, from rhythms and woodwinds to horns and strings, were co-arranged by Patrice Rushen, who also arranged the near-minute-long extravagant string arrangements for the introduction of the song, whose 100-piece Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Charles Mimms, Jr. and Reggie Andrews, with Charles Veal, Jr., concertmaster. In stark contrast, however, Forget-Me-Nots uses a synthesizer to produce a single, sustaining string-like sound.
As the disco scene began to fade in mainstream popularity, with large labels rejecting disco albums and much of the public turning once again to the rock sound, there was much less room in disco production budgets for the high-cost of professional orchestras.
Electronic instruments like the Arp Solina string ensemble began to replace the large orchestras of the 1970s.
Thousands of examples illustrate the change from the luxuriant disco sound to the minimalist and electronic dance sound occurring from 1979 to 1980, just a few of which are:
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
al production and recording techniques that went into the production of mid- to late-1970s disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
music.
Role of disco orchestration
The sound of a disco song, as with the sound of a song of any genre of music, depended on the particular tastes of the artists, and - if relevant to the genre - the arrangers, producers, and even the orchestra conductors, and even still the concertmasterConcertmaster
The concertmaster/mistress is the spalla or leader, of the first violin section of an orchestra. In the UK, the term commonly used is leader...
s dictating the type of stylized playing method of each section of the orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, down to the engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
s and mixer
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
s who assembled all the elements to make a fluid, cohesive sculpture of sound through melodic continuity.
The disco orchestration stylings of different producers can be discerned by most listeners. Van McCoy's The Hustle (1975), for example, uses very different orchestration techniques from those of Silver Convention's Get Up and Boogie (1976). Van McCoy composed, arranged, and produced his song, and also conducted the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. The sound of Van McCoy's song was further influenced by the musical influences of concertmaster Gene Orloff.
Silver Convention's song was written, arranged, and produced by Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay, who conducted the Munich Symphony Orchestra
Munich Symphony Orchestra
The Munich Symphony Orchestra is a German orchestra based in Munich. Kurt Graunke founded the orchestra as the Graunke Symphony Orchestra in 1945. The orchestra acquired its current name in 1990...
. The orchestra sound was influenced by concertmaster Fritz Sonnleitner. Here, one can only imagine the New York sound, as produced by Van McCoy, on Silver Convention's Get Up and Boogie, and the funky Munich sound, as produced by Kunze and Levay, on Van McCoy's The Hustle.
Regional variations
As such, many regional sounds of disco developed during the mid-1970s, as a result of collaborative efforts of many individuals with a legacy of formal education and training in music theory and orchestration, whose educational backgrounds laid the foundation for the musical genre that was to burst forth onto the dance-music scene into what would come to be regarded as designer music. Many of the conductorsConducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and players
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
of the large city symphony and philharmonic orchestras responsible for the grand productions of disco were seasoned veterans of orchestras throughout the country, some even going back to the big-band era
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
.
Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra was the foundation of the Philly Sound, which represented an ebullient mid-tempo style that retained the funky characteristics of the sound of the streets of inner-city Philadelphia, however, elevated to a polished form with interwoven arrangements of lead and background singers in triple harmonies with lush arrangementArrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
s of woodwinds, horns
Horn section
In music, a horn section can refer to several groups of musicians. It can refer to the musicians in a symphony orchestra who play the horn . In a British-style brass band it refers to the tenor horn players. In popular music, it can also refer to a small group of wind instrumentalists who augment a...
, and string
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
s, as heard by groups such as MFSB
MFSB
MFSB was a pool of more than thirty studio musicians based at Philadelphia’s famed Sigma Sound Studios. They worked closely with the production team of Gamble and Huff and producer/arranger Thom Bell, and backed up such groups as Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the O’Jays, the Stylistics, the...
, The Three Degrees
The Three Degrees
The Three Degrees are an American female vocal group. Formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,, the group has always been a trio though there have been a number of personnel changes and a total of fourteen women have represented the group so far. The original members were Fayette Pinkney,...
, The Ritchie Family
The Ritchie Family
The Ritchie Family was the name of an American vocal group, based in Philadelphia, who achieved several hits during the disco era.-Career:...
.
Principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors originating from Philadelphia included Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, John Davis, Richie Rome
Richie Rome
Richie Rome, born Richard V. Di Cicco in Philadelphia, was a prominent American producer, arranger and orchestra conductor during the 1970s.- Life :...
, Norman Harris
Norman Harris
Norman Harris was an American guitarist, producer, arranger and songwriter associated with Philly soul. He was a founding member of MFSB and one-third of the production trio of Baker-Harris-Young...
, John McFadden, Gene Whitehead, Victor Carstarphen, Jack Faith, Bunny Sigler
Bunny Sigler
Walter "Bunny" Sigler is a pop and R&B songwriter and record producer who has done extensive work with the team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and who was instrumental in creating the "Philly Sound" in the early 1970s. He is nicknamed "Mr...
, Dexter Wansel
Dexter Wansel
Dexter Gilman Wansel is an American keyboardist, raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He contributed to the development of the Philly Sound and worked with producers Gamble and Huff at Philadelphia International Records. Wansel led the musical group, Yellow Sunshine...
, John Usry, Bobby Martin.
New York
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra was the foundation of the New York Sound, which branched into four main arms: One characterized by the mid-tempo, richly-hued stylings and 'bubbly' beat of The Hustle, as in songs such as OdysseyOdyssey (band)
Odyssey was a New York, now UK-based dance music band. It grew out of the talent of the Connecticut-born Lopez sisters: Lillian Lopez , Louise Lopez , and Carmen Lopez , who left the group before Odyssey, as the group came to be known after her departure, was formed.-Career:Filipino singer Tony...
's Native New Yorker (1977), arranged, produced, and conducted by Charlie Calello
Charlie Calello
Charlie Calello is an American, singer, composer, conductor, arranger, accordionist and record producer born in Newark, New Jersey.Calello attended Newark Arts High School. and Manhattan School of Music, in New York City....
, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster. Gerri Granger's Can't Take My Eyes off of You (1976), arranged, produced, and conducted by Bob Crewe
Bob Crewe
Bob Crewe is an American songwriter, dancer, singer, manager, record producer and fine artist. He is known for producing, and co-writing with Bob Gaudio, a string of Top 10 singles for The Four Seasons...
, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster. Vicki Sue Robinson
Vicki Sue Robinson
Vicki Sue Robinson was an American theatre and film actress and singer, closely associated with the disco era of late 1970s pop music; she is most famous for her 1976 hit, "Turn the Beat Around."-Early life and career:...
's Turn the Beat Around (1976), arranged, produced, and conducted by Warren Schatz
Warren Schatz
Warren Schatz, born in New York, was a prominent producer, arranger and orchestra conductor during the 1970s.Warren Schatz is famous for composing, producing, arranging, and conducting the orchestra for such mid- to late-1970s disco recording artists as Vicki Sue Robinson , The Brothers,...
and George Andrews
George Andrews
George Eyre Andrews is an American mathematician working in analysis and combinatorics. He is currently an Evan Pugh Professor of Mathematics at Pennsylvania State University....
, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster
One characterized by the mid-tempo operatic orchestrations of
Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
's Pagliacci (1975), arranged, produced, and conducted by Jay Chattaway
Jay Chattaway
Jay Chattaway is an American composer of film and television scores. He is mainly known for his work as score composer for several Star Trek television series: Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise...
and Bob James
Bob James (musician)
Robert McElhiney James is a jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer.-Biography:During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date...
, with David Nadien, concertmaster. One characterized by the mid-tempo, funky baselines and orchestrations of Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is notable for jazz, soul, R&B, and folk music...
's Back Together Again (1979), arranged, produced, and conducted by Eric Mercury
Eric Mercury
Eric Mercury is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and musician. He was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario into a family of musicians. He performed with groups including The Pharaohs and Eric Mercury and the Soul Searchers in the 1960s, and moved to Chicago in 1968 to perform by himself. His debut...
and Arif Mardin
Arif Mardin
Arif Mardin was a Turkish-American music producer, who worked with hundreds of artists across many different styles of music, including jazz, rock, soul, disco, and country...
, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster (the style predated rap
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
)
One characterized by the up-tempo, Latin-infused, extravagantly-orchestrated stylings of Wing and a Prayer Fife & Drum Corps.'s Baby Face (1975), arranged, produced, and conducted by Stephen Schaeffer and David Horowitz, with David Nadien, concertmaster. Samantha Sang
Samantha Sang
Samantha Sang is a stage name of Australian singer, Cheryl Lau Sang, from Melbourne, who had an earlier career as Cheryl Gray. She had a number eight hit in Australia with "You Made Me What I Am" in 1967. By 1969, she had relocated to United Kingdom and worked with Bee Gees but then returned...
's From Dance to Love (1979), arranged, produced, and conducted by Meco Monardo, Tony Bongiovi
Tony Bongiovi
Tony Bongiovi is a record producer and recording engineer with expertise in Electrical & Acoustical Engineering. He helped to remodel an old building in Manhattan—once a power plant for Edison, and later a television studio—into the Power Station recording studio in 1977.Bongiovi was born in the...
, and Harold Wheeler, with Irving Spice, concertmaster.
Principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors from New York included Van McCoy
Van McCoy
Van Allen Clinton McCoy was an accomplished musician, music producer, arranger, songwriter, and orchestra conductor. He is known best for his 1975 internationally successful song "The Hustle", which is still played in dance halls and on radio to this day more than thirty years since his death...
, Brad Baker
Brad Baker
Bradley Donald Baker is a former Minor League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. Baker threw a fastball which consistently hit 90 mph, an above-average change and an average curve.- High school :...
, Charlie Calello
Charlie Calello
Charlie Calello is an American, singer, composer, conductor, arranger, accordionist and record producer born in Newark, New Jersey.Calello attended Newark Arts High School. and Manhattan School of Music, in New York City....
, Harold Wheeler, Warren Schatz
Warren Schatz
Warren Schatz, born in New York, was a prominent producer, arranger and orchestra conductor during the 1970s.Warren Schatz is famous for composing, producing, arranging, and conducting the orchestra for such mid- to late-1970s disco recording artists as Vicki Sue Robinson , The Brothers,...
, Tony Bongiovi
Tony Bongiovi
Tony Bongiovi is a record producer and recording engineer with expertise in Electrical & Acoustical Engineering. He helped to remodel an old building in Manhattan—once a power plant for Edison, and later a television studio—into the Power Station recording studio in 1977.Bongiovi was born in the...
, Meco Monardo, Michael Zager
Michael Zager
Michael Zager has produced, composed, and/or arranged original music in a wide range of musical idioms, including commercials, albums, network television, and as a source for theme music for films....
, Dennis King
Dennis King
Dennis King was an English actor and singer.Born in Coventry as Dennis Pratt, King had a stage career in both drama and musicals. He emigrated to the USA in 1921 and went on to a successful career on the Broadway stage. He appeared in two musical films and played non-singing roles in two other...
, Randy Muller, Jeff Lane, Michael DeLugg, Tony Camillo
Tony Camillo
Tony Camillo is an American record producer, orchestrator and arranger. He worked on many soul and disco recordings of the 1960s and 1970s, including recordings by Dionne Warwick, Eric Carmen, The Stylistics, Dazz Band, Millie Jackson, Chambers Brothers, Peaches & Herb, Sha Na Na, Grand Funk...
.
Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra was the foundation of the Los Angeles Sound, which branched into four main arms: One characterized by the mid-tempo funky orchestrations of Carrie LucasCarrie Lucas
Carrie Lucas, is an American female R&B musician, born in Carmel, California. In 1976 she was signed to Soul Train Records. Lucas made six albums over seven years with Soul Train and Solar Records.-Career:...
's Dance with Me (1979), arranged, produced, and conducted by Don Cornelius
Don Cornelius
Donald Cortez "Don" Cornelius is an American television show host and producer who is best known as the creator of the nationally syndicated dance/music franchise Soul Train, which he hosted from 1971-1993...
, Dick Griffey
Dick Griffey
Richard Gilbert "Dick" Griffey was an American record producer and promoter who founded SOLAR Records, an acronym for "Sound of Los Angeles Records", which played a major role in developing a funk-oriented blend of disco, R&B and soul music during the 1970s and 1980s...
, and Leon Sylvers, with Janice Gower, concertmaster.
The "New York-style" mid-tempo, extravagantly-orchestrated rhythms can be heard in Love Unlimited Orchestra's My Sweet Summer Suite (1976), arranged, produced, and conducted by Barry White
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
and Gene Page
Gene Page
Eugene Edgar "Gene" Page, Jr. was an influential conductor, composer, arranger and record producer most active from the mid-1960s through the mid-1980s....
, with Jack Shulman
Jack Shulman
Jack Shulman, Jacob Shulman, is notable mainly for his dissatisfaction with the Communist Party USA's turn away from Stalinism following Nikita Khrushchev's secret speech in 1956. Following his resignation from the Party Shulman traveled to Albania and China in pursuit of his political objectives...
, concertmaster. Tavares
Tavares (band)
Tavares are a successful American R&B, funk and soul music group, composed of five Cape Verdean-American brothers from New Bedford, Massachusetts.-Band members:...
' Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel (1976), arranged, produced, and conducted by Freddie Perren
Freddie Perren
Frederick "Freddie" Perren was an American songwriter, record producer, arranger, and orchestra conductor best known for as a co-songwriter and co-producer of such mega-hits as "Boogie Fever" by the Sylvers, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches &...
and David Blumberg
David Blumberg
Clarinetist David Blumberg is a Concert Artist - Clinician for the , a noted pedagogue of Woodwinds and a music producer. His Produced works include the written for Principal Clarinetist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Michele Zukovsky...
, with Paul Shure, concertmaster. One characterized by the New York-style mid-tempo 'bubbly' beat and spicy orchestrations of Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis Linda Hyman was an American soul singer and actress.-Early years:Phyllis Hyman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the St. Clair Village, the South Hills section of Pittsburgh...
's You Know How to Love Me (1979), arranged, produced, and conducted by James Mtume
James Mtume
James Mtume is a jazz and R&B musician and a radio personality. Mtume's group is perhaps best known for their 1983 R&B hit song "Juicy Fruit". The song was sampled by The Notorious B.I.G. in his song "Juicy"...
and Reggie Lucas
Reggie Lucas
Reginald "Reggie" Lucas is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. Lucas is most famous for his production work with percussionist Mtume and for producing the majority of Madonna's 1983 self-titled debut album.-Biography:...
, with Gerald Vinci, concertmaster
New York-style uptempo beat with multi-dimensional orchestrations can be heard in High Inergy
High Inergy
High Inergy was an American R&B and soul girl group who found fame on Motown Records in the late 1970s. They are best known for their hit, "You Can't Turn Me Off ".-History:...
's Shoulda Gone Dancing (1979), arranged, produced, and conducted by Donnell Jones and Gerald Lee, with Assa Drori, concertmaster.
Principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors from Los Angeles included Gene Page
Gene Page
Eugene Edgar "Gene" Page, Jr. was an influential conductor, composer, arranger and record producer most active from the mid-1960s through the mid-1980s....
, Barry White
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
, Dave Crawford
Dave Crawford
Dave Crawford was an American football and basketball coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Hawaii from 1917 to 1919. He also coached the Hawaii basketball team during the 1918–1919 season.-Football:-External links:...
, Bruce Miller
Bruce Miller
Bruce Miller may refer to:*Bruce Miller *Bruce Miller *Bruce Miller , infielder for the San Francisco Giants baseball team*Bruce Miller , fullback for the San Francisco 49ers...
, Freddie Perren
Freddie Perren
Frederick "Freddie" Perren was an American songwriter, record producer, arranger, and orchestra conductor best known for as a co-songwriter and co-producer of such mega-hits as "Boogie Fever" by the Sylvers, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches &...
, Paul Riser
Paul Riser
Paul Riser is an American trombonist and Motown musical arranger who was responsible for co-writing and arranging dozens of top ten hit records. His legacy as one of the "Funk Brothers" is similar to that of most of the other "Brothers", as his career has been overlooked and overshadowed by the...
, Hal Davis
Hal Davis
Harold Edward "Hal" Davis was an African American songwriter and record producer, best known as the key figure in the latter part of the Motown career of The Jackson 5....
, Skip Scarborough
Skip Scarborough
Skip Scarborough was a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, best known for romantic ballads.-Biography:Born Clarence Alexander Scarborough in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he lived in Los Angeles most of his life....
, Jerry Peters
Jerry Peters
Jerry Peters is an American songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist, conductor and arranger. He is best known for writing the hit song Going In Circles" by The Friends of Distinction.-Career:...
, Laurin Rinder, Mike Lewis
Mike Lewis
Michael Richard Lewis is the rhythm guitarist for the Welsh alternative rock band Lostprophets. He studied civil engineering for a year before turning to music. His mother was a shop assistant, and his father worked in management for a chemical company...
, Carl Davis
Carl Davis
Carl Davis CBE is an American born conductor and composer who has made his home in the UK since 1961. In 1970 he married the English actress Jean Boht....
, Sonny Sanders, Simon Soussan, Don Cornelius
Don Cornelius
Donald Cortez "Don" Cornelius is an American television show host and producer who is best known as the creator of the nationally syndicated dance/music franchise Soul Train, which he hosted from 1971-1993...
, Dick Griffey
Dick Griffey
Richard Gilbert "Dick" Griffey was an American record producer and promoter who founded SOLAR Records, an acronym for "Sound of Los Angeles Records", which played a major role in developing a funk-oriented blend of disco, R&B and soul music during the 1970s and 1980s...
.
Miami
The Miami Symphony Orchestra was the foundation of the Miami Sound, which was an effervescent mid- to uptempo style that represented the colorful Latin heritage of Miami, as in songs such asRice & Beans Orchestra's You've Got Magic (1977), arranged, produced, and conducted by Pepe Luis Soto, Tato Rossi` and Hector Garrido, with David Chappell, concertmaster. Miami Sound Machine's You've Broken My Heart (1978), arranged, produced, and conducted by Thomas Fundora and Carlos Oliva
Carlos Oliva
Carlos Oliva is a Honduran football player that currently plays for Marathon. He previously played for Real España where he debuted on 21 February 1998 against Olimpia. He also played with Vida.-External links:*...
, with Bogdan Chruzcsz, concertmaster. Principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductor that derived from Miami included Cory Wade
Cory Wade (music producer)
Cory Wade is a former American record producer and songwriter, known for producing some of the biggest hits in disco in the 1970s. A producer for TK Records, Wade co-produced the 1977 single "Do Ya Wanna Get Funky With Me" by Peter Brown, which became the first 12-inch single to sell a million...
, Bert Dovo, Clarence Reid, Willie Clark, Freddy Stonewall.
Other regions
Other large symphony and philharmonic orchestras in cities across the United States, Canada, and Europe were used to provide orchestral backing for many disco recordings.- The Detroit Symphony OrchestraDetroit Symphony OrchestraThe Detroit Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Detroit, Michigan. Its main performance center is Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood...
, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: Brad Shapiro, David Van De PitteDavid Van De PitteDavid J. Van De Pitte was an American music arranger and bass player. He is best known for his work at Motown Records during the 1960s and early 1970s, when he was responsible for arranging many of the best known and most successful of the company's records, including those by Marvin Gaye, The...
, Mike Theodore, Lawrence PaytonLawrence PaytonLawrence Albert Payton was an American tenor, songwriter and record producer for the popular Motown quartet, the Four Tops....
, Dennis CoffeyDennis CoffeyDennis Coffey is an American guitarist. He was a studio musician for many soul and R&B recordings.-Biography:Coffey learned to play guitar at the age of thirteen, in the Michigan Upper Peninsula town of Copper City... - The Chicago Symphony OrchestraChicago Symphony OrchestraThe Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: Donald Burnside, Edmund Lee Bauer, Danny Raye Leake, Curtis MayfieldCurtis MayfieldCurtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
, Gil Askey, John Dubiel, Chuck JacksonChuck JacksonChuck Jackson is an R&B singer who was one of the first artists to record material by Burt Bacharach and Hal David successfully. He has performed with moderate success since 1961...
, Marvin Yancy, Dr. Cecil Hale, Richard EvansRichard Evans-Literary figures:*Richard J. Evans , English historian on the subject of Germany before and during World War II*Richard Paul Evans , American author of books with Christian themes; best known for 1995's The Christmas Box... - The Nashville Symphony OrchestraNashville Symphony OrchestraThe Nashville Symphony is an American symphony orchestra, based in Nashville, Tennessee. The orchestra performs 140 concerts annually.-History:...
, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: Moses Dillard, Jesse Boyce, Lloyd Barry - The Atlanta Symphony OrchestraAtlanta Symphony OrchestraThe Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Robert Spano has been its music director since 2001...
, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: Isaac HayesIsaac HayesIsaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
, Johnny Allen - The Memphis Symphony OrchestraMemphis Symphony Orchestra-History:The Memphis Symphony Orchestra was established in its present form in 1960 as an outgrowth of the Memphis Sinfonietta, a chamber group formed eight years earlier under the direction of cellist Vincent DeFrank, with support from the Memphis Orchestral Society and the Memphis Arts...
, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: Lester Snell - The Boston Symphony OrchestraBoston Symphony OrchestraThe Boston Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1881, the BSO plays most of its concerts at Boston's Symphony Hall and in the summer performs at the Tanglewood Music Center...
, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: Jonathan KleinJonathan KleinJon or Jonathan Klein may refer to:* Jonathan Klein , former president of the American television news network CNN* Jonathan Klein , founder of Getty Images...
, D.B. Shrier - The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
- The Montreal Symphony OrchestraMontreal Symphony OrchestraOrchestre symphonique de Montréal is a symphony orchestra based in Montréal, Québec, Canada, with Montréal's Place des Arts as its home.-History:...
, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: Tony GreenTony GreenTony Green is a darts commentator for the British Darts Organisation on the BBC. He is also a former referee and master of ceremonies and was also co-host of the hit darts quiz show Bullseye on ITV alongside Jim Bowen and the show revived in 2006 on Challenge with Dave Spikey.- Darts career :A...
, Denis Lepage - The Quebec Symphony Orchestra, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: Dominic Sciscente, Michel Daigle, Jacques Lafleche, Lee Gagnon, Pete Tessier, André GagnonAndré GagnonAndré Gagnon, OC is a Canadian musician and composer. He shifted from a classical musical style to an adult contemporary style in the mid-1970s with albums such as Neiges....
- The Toronto Symphony OrchestraToronto Symphony OrchestraThe Toronto Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:The TSO was founded in 1922 as the New Symphony Orchestra, and gave its first concert at Massey Hall in April 1923. The orchestra changed its name to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927. The TSO...
, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: Ian Guenther, Willi Morrison, Eric RobertsonEric Robertson (composer)Eric Nathan Robertson is a Scottish composer, organist, pianist, and record producer who has been primarily active in Canada. A two time Gemini Award winner, he has composed more than 60 film scores and written music for a number of television series in Canada and the United States...
, Pete Pedersen, Harry Hinde - The Vancouver Symphony OrchestraVancouver Symphony OrchestraThe Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra performing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over 240,000 people attend its live performances each year. It was founded in 1930 and plays in 12 venues. Its home is the Orpheum theatre. With an annual operating budget of $9.5 million, it is the...
- The London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony OrchestraThe London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: BidduBidduBiddu or Biddu Appaiah is an Indian-British music producer, composer, song-writer and singer who produced and composed many hit records worldwide during a career spanning five decades...
, Gerry Shury, Pip WilliamsPip WilliamsPip Williams, is a record producer, arranger and guitarist, best known for producing albums for Status Quo and The Moody Blues.-Career:...
, Ian LevineIan LevineIan Levine is an English songwriter, producer, and DJ. He is also a well-known fan of the long-running television show Doctor Who.Levine attended Arnold School in Blackpool from 1963 to 1970...
, Fiachra TrenchFiachra TrenchFiachra Terence Wilbrah Trench is a musician and composer from Drogheda, County Louth in Ireland....
, Peter YellowstoneRay DorsetRay Dorset is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and founder of Mungo Jerry...
, Larry PageLarry PageLawrence "Larry" Page is an American computer scientist and internet entrepreneur who, with Sergey Brin, is best known as the co-founder of Google. As of April 4, 2011, he is also the chief executive of Google, as announced on January 20, 2011... - The Paris Symphony Orchestra, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: CerroneCerroneMarc Cerrone is a French disco drummer, singer-songwriter and record producer.Marc Cerrone has sold over thirty million albums and has often performed in front of hundreds of thousands of people at huge concerts and events such as The 2005 Dance Party Live in Versailles and The 2000 Los Angeles...
, Don Ray, Alec CostandinosAlec R. CostandinosAlec R. Costandinos, is a French singer and artist of the 70's. He was also intimately involved as a writer, publisher and musician in the development of Aphrodite's Child with Vangelis and Greek-born pop singer, Demis Roussos...
, Raymond Khenetsky, Alan HawkshawAlan HawkshawAlan Hawkshaw is a British composer and performer, particularly of themes for movies and television programmes...
, Claude Carrere, Alain Wisniak, Charly Ricanek, Daniel VangardeDaniel VangardeDaniel Vangarde, born Daniel Bangalter in 1947, is a French songwriter and producer. He is the father of music composer Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk.-History:...
, Michaele Lana, Guy Delo, Paul Sebastian, Jean-Luc Drion, Jean KlugerJean KlugerJean Kluger is a Belgian artist, producer, songwriter and musical composer.His career started in 1957, working for his father's company, World Music. He wrote widely for the French and German pop music markets, including songs for Dalida, Will Tura, Ringo and Petula Clark...
, Ralph Benetar, Biram Benelux, Jacques MoraliJacques MoraliJacques Morali was a French music producer, who is best remembered for being the creator and driving force behind the disco group, Village People.... - The Munich Symphony OrchestraMunich Symphony OrchestraThe Munich Symphony Orchestra is a German orchestra based in Munich. Kurt Graunke founded the orchestra as the Graunke Symphony Orchestra in 1945. The orchestra acquired its current name in 1990...
, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: Thor Baldursson, Frank FarianFrank FarianFrank Farian , is a German record producer and songwriter. He started out as a trained cook before moving into the music industry...
, Michael Kunze, Sylvester LevaySylvester LevaySylvester Levay is a Hungarian composer. He was born 16 May 1945 in Subotica , in the North Bačka District of Vojvodina, Yugoslavia ; his name is pronounced in English similarly to "lave-ah-ee."...
, Juergen Korduletch, Mats Bjoerklund, Stefan Klinkhammer, Anthony MonnAnthony MonnAnthony Monn a.k.a. Tony Monn is a German singer, composer, and record producer.Monn started his career as a singer in the German schlager genre in the early 1970s...
, J.-C. Friederich, Tony Lester - The Berlin Symphony OrchestraBerlin Symphony OrchestraThe Konzerthausorchester Berlin is a symphony orchestra based in Berlin, Germany. The orchestra is resident at the Konzerthaus Berlin, designed by the architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel...
, whose principal arrangers, producers, and orchestra conductors included: Werner Drexler, Eric Thoner, Joaquim Heider, Uli Roever, Karl Schmitz, Ralf Novi, Charles Orieux, Ingo Cramer - The Milan Symphony Orchestra.
Decreasing use of orchestras in the early 1980s
The transition from the late-1970s disco styles to the early-1980s dance styles can be illustrated best by analysis of the work of specific artists, arrangers, and producers within each region, respective to the time periods. For example, Patrice RushenPatrice Rushen
Patrice Rushen is a Grammy Award-winning African American R&B and jazz vocalist, composer and pianist.-Biography:...
, whose major works - Haven't You Heard from 1979 and Forget-Me-Nots from 1982 - contrast sharply to demonstrate emphatically the changes from the 1970s to the 1980s.
The orchestral elements of Haven't You Heard, from rhythms and woodwinds to horns and strings, were co-arranged by Patrice Rushen, who also arranged the near-minute-long extravagant string arrangements for the introduction of the song, whose 100-piece Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Charles Mimms, Jr. and Reggie Andrews, with Charles Veal, Jr., concertmaster. In stark contrast, however, Forget-Me-Nots uses a synthesizer to produce a single, sustaining string-like sound.
As the disco scene began to fade in mainstream popularity, with large labels rejecting disco albums and much of the public turning once again to the rock sound, there was much less room in disco production budgets for the high-cost of professional orchestras.
Electronic instruments like the Arp Solina string ensemble began to replace the large orchestras of the 1970s.
Thousands of examples illustrate the change from the luxuriant disco sound to the minimalist and electronic dance sound occurring from 1979 to 1980, just a few of which are:
- Madleen KaneMadleen KaneMadleen Kane is a model and singer, born on 4 March 1958 in Malmö, Sweden, to a Swedish father and American mother. A former Elite fashion model , she worked since 17 y.o. to 19 above all for the German fashion magazine Burda Moden...
- Forbidden Love/Thunder in My Heart (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Thor Baldursson and Michaele Lana, with Fritz Sonnleitner, concertmaster of the Munich Symphony OrchestraMunich Symphony OrchestraThe Munich Symphony Orchestra is a German orchestra based in Munich. Kurt Graunke founded the orchestra as the Graunke Symphony Orchestra in 1945. The orchestra acquired its current name in 1990...
- Cherchez Pas (1980); orchestrations: none
- Forbidden Love/Thunder in My Heart (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Thor Baldursson and Michaele Lana, with Fritz Sonnleitner, concertmaster of the Munich Symphony Orchestra
- Grace JonesGrace JonesGrace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, model and actress.Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance-club hits. In the late 1970s, she adapted the emerging electronic music style and adopted a severe, androgynous look with square-cut hair and...
- Don't Mess with the Messer (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Tom MoultonTom MoultonTom Moulton is an American record producer, and originator of the remix, the breakdown section, and the 12-inch single vinyl format.-Life and career:Thomas Jerome Moulton was born in Schenectady, New York, United States....
and John DavisJohn Davis and the Monster OrchestraJohn Davis and the Monster Orchestra were an American disco band, noted for their lead member , who lent his name to the band as well as producing all of their output.-History:...
, with Don Renaldo, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra - Pull up to the Bumper (1981); orchestrations: none
- Don't Mess with the Messer (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Tom Moulton
- KleeerKleeerKleeer was an American New York based funk, disco and post-disco band which was formed in 1972 under the name The Jam Band, as a backup group to different disco bands and vocalists...
- Winners (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Dennis KingDennis KingDennis King was an English actor and singer.Born in Coventry as Dennis Pratt, King had a stage career in both drama and musicals. He emigrated to the USA in 1921 and went on to a successful career on the Broadway stage. He appeared in two musical films and played non-singing roles in two other...
and Woody Cunningham, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Get Tough (1981); orchestrations: none
- Winners (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Dennis King
- Aretha FranklinAretha FranklinAretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
- Ladies Only (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Van McCoyVan McCoyVan Allen Clinton McCoy was an accomplished musician, music producer, arranger, songwriter, and orchestra conductor. He is known best for his 1975 internationally successful song "The Hustle", which is still played in dance halls and on radio to this day more than thirty years since his death...
, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Jump, Jump, Jump to It (1981); orchestrations: none
- Ladies Only (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Van McCoy
- The WhispersThe WhispersThe Whispers are a long-established R&B-dance vocal group from Los Angeles, California, with a consistent track record of hit records dating back to the late 1960s.-Career:...
- And the Beat Goes On (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Dick GriffeyDick GriffeyRichard Gilbert "Dick" Griffey was an American record producer and promoter who founded SOLAR Records, an acronym for "Sound of Los Angeles Records", which played a major role in developing a funk-oriented blend of disco, R&B and soul music during the 1970s and 1980s...
and Leon Sylvers IIILeon Sylvers IIILeon Frank Sylvers III is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist. He was a member of the family group The Sylvers and became one of the most successful producers in black music in the late 1970s to the mid 1980s through his association with Dick Griffey's SOLAR...
, with Janice Gower, concertmaster of the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra - It's a Love Thing (1980); orchestrations: none
- And the Beat Goes On (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Dick Griffey
- Evelyn ThomasEvelyn ThomasEvelyn Thomas is an American singer from Chicago, Illinois, best known for the dance hits "High Energy", "Masquerade", "Standing At The Crossroads", "Reflections", and "WeakSpot"....
- My Head's in the Stars (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Ian LevineIan LevineIan Levine is an English songwriter, producer, and DJ. He is also a well-known fan of the long-running television show Doctor Who.Levine attended Arnold School in Blackpool from 1963 to 1970...
and Fiachra TrenchFiachra TrenchFiachra Terence Wilbrah Trench is a musician and composer from Drogheda, County Louth in Ireland....
, with David KatzDavid KatzDavid Katz is an author, music journalist, photographer, A&R consultant, disc jockey and reggae historian, raised in the US but long resident in Britain....
of the London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony OrchestraThe London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:... - High Energy (1981); orchestrations: none
- My Head's in the Stars (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Ian Levine
- Stacy LattisawStacy LattisawStacy Lattisaw is an American R&B, dance, and gospel singer. Since the 1990s, she has exclusively sung gospel music, as a callback to her Christian roots.-Career:...
- When You're Young and in Love (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Van McCoy, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
- Jump to the Beat (1980); orchestrations: none
- Miquel BrownMiquel BrownMiquel Brown Miquel Brown Miquel Brown (born Michael Brown, 1954 is a Canadian actress and Disco/Soul singer from the 1970s and '80s most popular for the songs "Close to Perfection" and the Hi-NRG songs 'So Many Men, So Little Time' and "He's A Saint, He's A Sinner" (both now considered vintage gay...
- Symphony of Love (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Alan HawkshawAlan HawkshawAlan Hawkshaw is a British composer and performer, particularly of themes for movies and television programmes...
and Don Ray, with David KatzDavid KatzDavid Katz is an author, music journalist, photographer, A&R consultant, disc jockey and reggae historian, raised in the US but long resident in Britain....
, concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra, and Albert Speguel, concertmaster of the Paris Symphony Orchestra - So Many Men, So Little Time (1982); orchestrations: none
- Symphony of Love (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Alan Hawkshaw
- Vicki Sue RobinsonVicki Sue RobinsonVicki Sue Robinson was an American theatre and film actress and singer, closely associated with the disco era of late 1970s pop music; she is most famous for her 1976 hit, "Turn the Beat Around."-Early life and career:...
- What's Happening in My Life (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Warren SchatzWarren SchatzWarren Schatz, born in New York, was a prominent producer, arranger and orchestra conductor during the 1970s.Warren Schatz is famous for composing, producing, arranging, and conducting the orchestra for such mid- to late-1970s disco recording artists as Vicki Sue Robinson , The Brothers,...
, T. Life, George AndrewsGeorge AndrewsGeorge Eyre Andrews is an American mathematician working in analysis and combinatorics. He is currently an Evan Pugh Professor of Mathematics at Pennsylvania State University....
, and Sam Peake, with Gene Orloff, concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Hot Summer Night (1981); orchestrations: none
- What's Happening in My Life (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Warren Schatz
- Billy OceanBilly OceanBilly Ocean is a Trinidad-born English Grammy Award winning popular music performer who had a string of rhythm and blues international pop hits in the 1970s and 1980s. He was the most popular British-based R&B singer / songwriter of the early to mid-1980s...
- American Hearts (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Ken Gold and Lynton Naiff, with Harry BluestoneHarry BluestoneHarry Bluestone ' was a British violinist who composed music for TV and Movie. He was prolific and worked mainly on composing with Emil Cadkin. Earlier on, he was a violinist and freelanced on radio in the 1930s with Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, and the Dorsey brothers. Some of his compositions were...
, concertmaster of the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra - One of Those Nights (Feel Like Gettin' Down) (1981); orchestrations: none
- American Hearts (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Ken Gold and Lynton Naiff, with Harry Bluestone
- Angela BofillAngela BofillAngela Bofill is an American R&B vocalist and songwriter.Bofill was born to a Cuban father and a Puerto Rican mother; one of the first Latina singers to find success in the R&B market.She performed with Ricardo Marrero & the Group and Dance Theater of Harlem chorus prior to her 1978 debut album,...
- Angel of the Night (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by David Grusin and Larry RosenLarry RosenLarry Rosen may refer to:*Lawrence Rosen, lawyer, specialized in technology-related intellectual property issues*Larry Rosen , musician and record producer*Larry Rosen , CEO of Harry Rosen Inc....
, with David Nadien, concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Too Tough (1982); orchestrations: none
- Angel of the Night (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by David Grusin and Larry Rosen
- Earth, Wind and Fire
- Boogie Wonderland (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Maurice WhiteMaurice WhiteMaurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...
and Al McKayAl McKayAl McKay is a guitarist, songwriter, producer and former member of the American funk band Earth, Wind & Fire. Al used to lead his own group Al McKay's L.A...
, with Janice Gower, concertmaster of the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra - Let's Groove (1981); orchestrations: none.
- Boogie Wonderland (1979); orchestrations arranged, produced, and conducted by Maurice White
The revival of orchestration in the 1990s and 2000s
Many producers during the 1990s and 2000s attempted to make their disco music as authentic to the 1970s sound as possible. The following examples illustrate the revival of orchestration:- Mude o Baile (2002) and Superpoderosa (2002) by BsB Disco Club: violins by Igor Macarini and Luiz Carlos, cello by Guto Guerra, trumpet by Moisés Alves, tenor and alto saxophones by Anderson Pessoa, trombone by Lucas Borges, arranged by Marcos Tani and Ricardo Boy
- Last Days of Disco (2003) by AlcazarAlcazar (band)Alcazar is a Swedish eurodance group which has established themselves as one of Sweden's most successful music groups with a string of hits since their debut single in 1999. Worldwide, Alcazar sold over 12 million records between 2001 and 2004...
: orchestration by the Stockholm Session Strings, arranged by Jesper Nordenström - Cosmic Girl (1996) by JamiroquaiJamiroquaiJamiroquai is a British jazz funk and acid jazz band formed in 1992. Jamiroquai were initially the most prominent component in the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement, alongside groups such as Incognito, the James Taylor Quartet, and the Brand New Heavies. Other Acid Jazz artists such as...
: strings scored and conducted by Simon HaleSimon Hale-Life:Hale was born in Birmingham, England in 1964, being dually raised there and in South Manchester before moving to London, where he studied performance and composition at Goldsmiths College, University of London between 1982-85...
, arranged by Simon HaleSimon Hale-Life:Hale was born in Birmingham, England in 1964, being dually raised there and in South Manchester before moving to London, where he studied performance and composition at Goldsmiths College, University of London between 1982-85...
and Jay KayJason KayJason "Jay Kay" Luís Cheetham , is a Grammy Award-winning English musician, best known as the lead singer of the band Jamiroquai... - Spend Some Time (1994) by the Brand New HeaviesBrand New HeaviesThe Brand New Heavies are an acid jazz and funk group formed in 1985 in Ealing, a suburb of London, England.-Biography:The Brand New Heavies began in the 1980s as an instrumental acid jazz group called Brother International....
: string arrangements by Aaron Zigman and Andrew Levy, flute by Mike Smith - Should I Let Him Go? (2000) and You Turn My World Around (2000) by The Company: violins by Aaron Meyer and Adam LaMotte, viola by Leslie Hirsch, cello by Lori Presthus, all from the Portland Philharmonic, arranged by Bradley Swanson and (for the latter) Bryan Everett