Lennie Niehaus
- Born:
- June 11, 1929, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Died:
- May 4, 2020, Redlands, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Composer, Arranger, Alto Saxophonist
Early Life and Education
- Began playing saxophone at age 12.
- Studied at the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music.
- Served in the United States Army during the Korean War, playing in a military band.
Career and Major Achievements
- Established himself as a prominent arranger and composer in the West Coast jazz scene.
- Collaborated extensively with Clint Eastwood, scoring numerous films.
- Known for his sophisticated and harmonically rich arrangements.
- Arranged and composed music for various big bands, including Stan Kenton's.
- Authored several instructional books on jazz improvisation and arranging, including the highly regarded Lennie Niehaus sax duet book.
Notable Works
Film Scores (Selection)
| Year | Film Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Honkytonk Man | Clint Eastwood |
| 1984 | Tightrope | Richard Tuggle |
| 1985 | Pale Rider | Clint Eastwood |
| 1988 | Bird | Clint Eastwood |
| 1992 | Unforgiven | Clint Eastwood |
Selected Albums (as Arranger/Composer)
- The Lennie Niehaus Octet (1954)
- Zounds! (1954)
- I Swing for You (1958)
Legacy and Impact
Lennie Niehaus made significant contributions to jazz and film music through his innovative arrangements, compositions, and educational materials. He is remembered for his distinctive harmonic vocabulary and his long-standing collaboration with Clint Eastwood, helping to shape the sound of numerous iconic films.