Tutti Camarata

American instrumentalist, orchestrator, arranger, composer, and producer, Born 11 May 1913, Glen Ridge, New Jersey, USA; died 20 April 2005, Burbank, California, USA. He owned the labels Palomar and Coliseum (3). Often regarded as the first producer-as-artist.

Camarata began his career as a trumpet player for bands such as Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and others, eventually becoming the lead trumpet and arranger for Jimmy Dorsey. He also did arranging for Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and many others. He also conducted and orchestrated a recording of Jascha Heifetz, the legendary violinist.

In 1944, Camarata joined British Decca and helped found London Records. In addition to his duties at London Records, he also served as a classical-music artist, orchestrating and conducting a number of classical albums including the works of Puccini, Verdi, Bach, Bizet, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff.

In 1956, Walt Disney hired him to form Disneyland Records, and to be music director and producer for the label, at which he worked until left in 1972. In 1958, Camarata purchased the first building that would become Sunset Sound Recorders—where, during his 16-year association with Disney, he produced over 300 albums for the company.

Camarata was the musical conductor for several TV series, including “Startime,” “The Vic Damone Show,” and “The Alcoa Hour.” In 1981, Camarata would also purchase The Sound Factory, previously owned by David Hassinger. Like Sunset Sound studios, the Sound Factory is one of the top recording studios in Hollywood and has been used by many top music artists.