Education
Born Irwin Elliott Zucker in Hartford, Connecticut, Elliott graduated from the Hartt School of Music and worked as a jazz pianist in New York Paris in the 1950s.
Born Irwin Elliott Zucker in Hartford, Connecticut, Elliott graduated from the Hartt School of Music and worked as a jazz pianist in New York Paris in the 1950s.
He continued his post-graduate studies in composition with Arnold Franchetti, Isadore Freed, Bohuslav Martinů, and Lukas Foss, but it was Judy Garland who brought Elliott to California to become an arranger for her television show. Elliott continued his run in television as music director for Andy Williams" long-running series and later produced and conducted the National Broadcasting Company television special Live From Studio 8H: 100 Years of America"s Popular Music. He also wrote themes for television shows Night Court, and co-wrote the themes to Barney Miller, and Charlie"s Angels with Allyn Ferguson.
He is listed in New Grove"s Dictionary of American Music and was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, the University of Hartford"s Hartt School of Music.
The original name of the Orchestra was "The Big O" and was the largest jazz orchestra of its kind featuring over 92 musicians. Elliott blended the classical European style orchestra with modern American jazz style.
In addition, he holds the distinction of serving as music director of the Grammy Awards for 30 consecutive years. He also produced the Blade Runner soundtrack album with the New American Orchestra, and composed the song "lieutenant"s So Nice to Have a Manitoba Around the House" in 1950, made famous by Dinah Shore.
Death Elliot served as music director of the Henry Mancini Institute until his death from a brain tumor on August 18, 2001.