Tim Maguire
Roberta Joan "Joni" Mitchell (Anderson) is 72 today.
Mitchell’s work is highly respected by critics, and she has deeply
influenced fellow musicians in a diverse range of genres. Rolling
Stone has called her "one of the greatest songwriters ever", and
All Music has stated, "When the dust settles, Joni Mitchell may
stand as the most important and influential female recording artist
of the late 20th century".
Joseph Raymond "Ray" Conniff (November 6, 1916 – October 12, 2002)
Conniff was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and learned to play the trombone
from his father. He studied music arranging from a course book.
After serving in the U.S. Army in World War II he joined the Artie Shaw big band
and wrote many arrangements for him. After his stint with Shaw, he was then
hired by Mitch Miller, then head of A&R at Columbia Records, as their home
arranger, working with several artists including Rosemary Clooney, Marty
Robbins, Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis, Guy Mitchell and Johnnie Ray.
Between 1957 and 1968, Conniff had 28 albums in the American Top 40, the
most famous one being Somewhere My Love (1966).
Sandy Kozel
