Hayman, Richard (Warren Joseph)

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Hayman, Richard (Warren Joseph)

Hayman, Richard (Warren Joseph), American conductor, harmonica player, arranger, and composer; b. Cambridge, Mass., March 27, 1920. He received training in composition from Alfred Newman and Max Steiner, and in conducting from Arthur Fiedler. In 1938 he launched his career as a harmonica player, and soon began working as a composer and arranger for Hollywood film studios. After serving as arranger and director of the Vaughan Monroe Orch. (1945–50), he was director of music and of artists and repertoire of Mercury Records (1950–65) and music director of Time-Mainstream Records (1960–70); from 1950 to 1990 he also was chief arranger for the Boston Pops. As a guest conductor, he found his niche as a purveyor of light musical fare with various North American orchs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire