Johnny Gregory (bandleader)

John Gregory (born John Gregori, 12 October 1924 – 23 April 2020 and sometimes known as Johnny)[1][2] was a British bandleader who also recorded as Chaquito.[3][4][5][6][7][8] He scored several film and TV shows, including Serena (1962), Impact (1963), The Night Caller (1965) and Don't Drink the Water (1974).[9] He collaborated with vocalists including Cleo Laine and Nana Mouskouri. Then, in 1960, he began to make his own records. The Cascading Strings were part of the Philips record label’s easy listening albums. 101 Strings Orchestra and Living Strings showcased his impressive talent for beautiful arrangements using strings. More unusual was Melodies of Japan (1963), a unique and magical reworking of the traditional folk music of the far east. [10] In the mid-1970s, he regularly recorded under his own name, producing exciting albums such as A Man for All Seasons and The Detectives. He won an Ivor Novello Award in 1976 for "Introduction and Air to a Stained Glass Window".[11] From 1974 to 1991 he was the conductor of the BBC Radio Orchestra.[12] Born in London, John was one of five children of Maria (nee Rossi) and Frank Gregori. Frank Gregori was the leader of a dance band that played at the Italian restaurant Quaglino’s. Encouraged by his parents, who realised he was exceptionally musical, John studied the violin with the virtuoso teacher Alfredo Campoli and went on to take lessons in counterpoint and harmony at the London College of Music. After a brief stint as a violinist with his father’s band, by the late 40s he was performing by himself and working as a staff arranger with Philips Records. His first broadcast as an arranger, for the BBC Revue Orchestra, aired in 1944. He was the BBC radio orchestra’s principal guest conductor for 17 years and continued to be recognised as one of the best and most innovative orchestral composers and arrangers of his time. [13]He composed his last film score in 2002.[14]