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Les Baxter (March 14, 1922 – January 15, 1996) was an iconic American composer, conductor, and musician whose influence spanned across jazz, pop, film, and television. Known for his pioneering work in exotica and easy listening music, Baxter scored over 250 radio, television, and film productions, leaving an indelible mark on popular music and media. His compositions, many of which became timeless classics, include Unchained Melody, The Poor People of Paris, and Quiet Village—a track that later became a hit for Martin Denny.
Baxter’s career began with piano studies at the Detroit Conservatory of Music, followed by work as a saxophonist for Freddie Slack's big band. He soon transitioned into arranging and conducting for Capitol Records, working on early Nat King Cole hits like Mona Lisa and Too Young. In 1951, he recorded Voice of the Xtabay with Yma Sumac, one of the first albums to define exotica music, and made the original recording of Quiet Village. By the mid-1950s, Baxter had earned a gold disc for Unchained Melody, his first million-seller.
His impact on film and television was equally profound. Baxter composed music for major TV shows such as Mad Men, ER, The L Word, The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, and Severance. His film work includes scores for Inherent Vice, Madagascar, Temple, and Les Mans 66. His work has been sampled by a wide range of artists, from The Beastie Boys and Lana Del Rey to Eminem, MF Doom, Gotye, Kali Uchis, Rick Ross, and many others.
In the 1960s, Baxter expanded his creativity into the world of folk and rock, forming the Balladeers and later producing the studio project The Forum. Known for his innovative work in the "Wall of Sound" technique, he helped craft The River Is Wide, a minor hit for The Forum in 1967. Baxter’s legacy also includes film scores for cult classics like House of Usherand The Pit and the Pendulum for American International Pictures.
In the 1980s, when film and television work slowed, Baxter shifted to composing for theme parks like SeaWorld, continuing his prolific career until his death in 1996. Through his wide-ranging contributions to music and media, Les Baxter remains a foundational figure in American music history.