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Riddle is one of the most admired and versatile arrangers/ composers of
the post-war era, with major radio, television, film and recording
successes to his
credit. Equally renowned for his live performances, he served as
musical director for Golden Globe Award ceremonies and the Kennedy and
Eisenhower inaugurals. The socially-conscious Riddle is recognized for
being the first West Coast commercial recording director to break the
race barrier by hiring black musicians.Born in Oradell, NJ in 1921, he began his education as an arranger with Glenn Miller alumnus Bill Finegan. Together, they would sit up all night listening to classical music, especially that of Shostakovich, whose "First Symphony," which premiered in 1937, caught Finegan's attention. From Finegan's teachings, Riddle went on to work as a trombonist and arranger with the Charlie Spivak Orchestra, performed with a Marine Corp Training Band, and also played with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
https://youtu.be/AcJoY4xFXNk?list=RDAcJoY4xFXNk
