Claude Thornhill

Claude Thornhill (August 10, 1909 - July 1, 1965) was an American pianist, arranger, and bandleader.

After playing for Paul Whiteman,

Claude Thornhill (August 10, 1909 - July 1, 1965) was an American pianist, arranger, and bandleader.

After playing for Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, Ray Noble, and Billie Holiday, and arranging "Loch Lomond" and "Annie Laurie" for Maxine Sullivan, in 1938 he took over a band from Gil Evans and renamed it the Claude Thornhill Orchestra. Although the Thornhill band was originally a dance band it became known for its many superior jazz musicians and for Thornhill's innovative arrangements; its "Portrait of a Guinea Farm" has become a classic jazz recording.