If you grew up watching television during the 1960s and 1970s, you’ve no doubt heard of Sammy Nestico’s arranging style. His musical arrangements can still be heard on reruns of shows popular during the era of television variety shows. Sammy has arranged music for all kinds of groups, but he is the big band he is most remembered for than any other kind of music.
Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sammy Nestico first got his taste of music playing trombone in the David B Oliver High School band. He became an avid practitioner, so much so that his mother did the opposite of what most mothers tell their children: “Stop practicing and go out and play!”
Shortly after adopting the trombone as his musical instrument of choice, Sammy began arranging music for a small band in high school. These early years would help shape a unique style, one that has become one of the most recognized styles in big band arranging circles.
Sammy’s arranging style is a combination of simplicity and economy. The melody is of paramount importance in all arrangements. The importance of melody combined with an uncanny sense of “balance” between sections make Sammy’s big band arrangements not only fun to listen to, but also to perform. His sense of harmony is not too complex and always fits the character of each and every big band composition or arrangement.
In 1946, Sammy auditioned for staff trombonist and arranger with the newly formed group, the United States Airmen of Note. As the highly skilled ensemble’s first arranger, Sammy honed his writing style by producing dozens upon dozens of big band arrangements for the group.
During the 1960s, Sammy collaborated on recordings with the Count Basie Band. These recording sessions produced some of the most vibrant and performing big band charts of all time. High school and college big bands around the world continue to play charts like “Basie Straight Ahead” and “The Queen Bee.” Sammy has even written that working with Bill “Count” Basie was the musical and personal highlight of his career.
Sammy Nestico continues to compose and arrange big band music to this day. He will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the quintessential big band arrangers of the 20th century. For more on Sammy Nestico’s arranging style, check out his own comprehensive book on arranging, The Complete Arranger.