Hefti, Neal Paul

▪ 2009

      American jazz and film sound-track composer

born Oct. 29, 1922, Hastings, Neb.

died Oct. 11, 2008, Toluca Lake, Calif.

played a major role in forming the unique sounds and styles of Woody Herman's classic First Herd (1944–46) as well as Count Basie's late-1950s band before achieving lasting success as a composer of film and television scores, most notably his 1966 Grammy Award-winning theme for the Batman TV series. While a trumpeter with Herman, Hefti crafted hits such as “Caledonia” and “Apple Honey,” which were among the earliest big-band uses of bebop concepts. He went on to write for his own short-lived bands and others, most notably Count Basie's, climaxing in The Atomic Mr. Basie, a hit 1957 album of Hefti themes that introduced the standard “Li'l Darlin'.” From the early 1960s until his 1978 retirement, Hefti concentrated on Hollywood assignments. While he composed sound tracks for some earnest dramas, including Harlow (1965), he was most active scoring comedies such as Sex and the Single Girl (1964), Barefoot in the Park (1967), and The Odd Couple (1968).

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