Ray Conniff (November 6, 1916 – October 12, 2002) was an American bandleader, arranger, and composer known for his signature orchestral pop sound. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, he began his career as a trombonist and arranger in the big band era, working with artists like Bunny Berigan and Artie Shaw.
In the 1950s, Conniff became an arranger for Columbia Records, shaping hits for stars such as Johnny Mathis and Rosemary Clooney. His breakthrough came in 1956 when he formed The Ray Conniff Singers, blending vocal harmonies with light orchestration.
This formula led to a string of best-selling albums, including ’S Wonderful (1956) and Somewhere My Love (1966), the latter featuring his Grammy-winning arrangement of “Lara’s Theme” from Doctor Zhivago.
Conniff’s music, characterized by lush arrangements and smooth vocals, remained popular for decades, earning him worldwide acclaim, especially in Latin America and Europe. He continued performing and recording into the 1990s, with over 100 albums to his name.
Ray Conniff left a lasting influence on easy listening and orchestral pop music. His timeless sound continues to be cherished by fans around the world.
81 recordings by Ray Conniff you can hear on Instrumentals Forever:
(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song • A Fifth of Tchaikovsky • A Media Luz • Adelita • Adios • Adios Muchachos • After the Lovin’ • Amor • Aparências • Before the Next Teardrop Falls • Ben • Blowin’ In The Wind • Bonustrack – What’ll I Do • Cama E Mesa • Cheek To Cheek • Clair • Delta Down • Don’t Cry For Me Argentina (From ”Evita”) • Dueling Voices (Dueling Banjos) • Dueño De Nada • Emoções • Eternas Ondas • Favourite Theme From Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto • Fernando • Hablame Del Mar, Marinero • Hands Of Love • Harmony • He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You) • Here Today and Gone Tomorrow • How Can I Tell Her • I Am Woman • I Believe in Music • I Can See Clearly Now • I Need You Baby • I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing • I’d Love You to Want Me • If I Could Reach You • If You Don’t Know Me by Now • If You Leave Me Now • It Never Rains in Southern California • Jackie Blue • Kiss and Say Goodbye • La Mucura • La vie en rose • La Violetera (Who Will Buy My Violets) • Last Farewell • Live and Let Die • Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing • Lovin’ You • Lowdown • Ma La Lady • Maria Elena (Always In My Heart) • Melody • My Cha Chornia • My Eyes Adored You • My Melody of Love • On the Run • Only Yesterday • Paradise • Playground in My Mind • Rain On • Ramona • Remembering You (Closing Theme from ”All In The Family” TV Show) • ‘s Wonderful • Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose • Sleepy Shores • Something’s Wrong With Me • Somewhere, My Love • Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word • Summer Breeze • Tara’s Theme (From ”Gone with the Wind”) • The Best of My Love • The Morning After • Theme from ”A Summer Place” • Theme From New York, New York • Touch Me in the Morning • Valencia • Yesterday Once More • You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine • Young Love • Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing •
