The New American Orchestra, later known as the American Jazz Philharmonic, … Read Full Bio ↴The New American Orchestra, later known as the American Jazz Philharmonic, was an orchestra founded by composer Jack Elliott (Irwin Elliott Zucker August 6, 1927 – August 18, 2001) - an American television and film composer, conductor, music arranger, television producer.

Life and career
Born in Hartford, CT and was of Romanian Jewish descent, Elliott graduated from the Hartt School of Music and worked as a jazz pianist in New York and Paris in the 1950s.

He continued his post-graduate studies in composition with Arnold Franchetti, Isadore Freed, Bohuslav Martinů, and Lukas Foss, but it was Judy Garland who brought Elliott to California to become an arranger for her television show. He then continued his run in television as music director for Andy Williams' long-running series and later produced and conducted the NBC television special Live From Studio 8H: 100 Years of America's Popular Music.

He also wrote themes for television shows Night Court, and co-wrote the themes to Barney Miller and Charlie's Angels with Allyn Ferguson. He is listed in New Grove's Dictionary of American Music and was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music.

In addition to co-founding and being the music director of The New American Orchestra and later the American Jazz Philharmonic, Elliott was also the creator of the Henry Mancini Institute. The original name of the Orchestra was "The Big O" and was the largest jazz orchestra of its kind featuring over 92 musicians.

Elliott blended the classical European style orchestra with modern American jazz style. His professional repertoire was diverse, highlighted by stints as music director for the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors and the 1984 Summer Olympics. In addition, he holds the distinction of serving as music director of the Grammy Awards for 30 consecutive years.

He had an accomplished career in film, scoring numerous hit movies, including Sibling Rivalry, The Jerk, Oh God!, and Where's Poppa?. He also produced the Blade Runner soundtrack album with the New American Orchestra.

First release of the Blade Runner soundtrack
The Orchestra was also widely known for recording the first released soundtrack for Ridley Scott’s 1982 science-fiction noir film Blade Runner. Their 1982 album was produced by Elliott and entitled ” Blade Runner: Orchestral Adaptation of Music Composed for the Motion Picture by Vangelis”. The release, an orchestral rendition soundtrack, was reportedly disowned by both Vangelis and director Scott.

Blade Runner soundtrack release background: Despite the film’s music being well received by fans and critically acclaimed – nominated in 1983 for a BAFTA and Golden Globe as best original score – and the promise of a soundtrack album from Polydor Records in the end titles of the film, the release of the original soundtrack recording was delayed for over a decade. In light of the lack of a release of an official score, the orchestral adaptation by The New American Orchestra was released by WEA and Full Moon in 1982.

For 10 years, the only official way to purchase the music created for Blade Runner was through this recreation of key themes from the score, whilst not the original soundtrack, it was produced and released as the official album from the film.

Some of the film tracks would surface in 1989 on the compilation Themes, but it was not until the 1992 release of the Director's Cut version of the film that a substantial amount of the score would see the light of day and an official Vangelis recording, release in 1994. In 2007, “Blade Runner Trilogy: 25th Anniversary” with previously unreleased material was issued to mark the 25th anniversary of the film.

Death
Elliott served as music director of the Henry Mancini Institute until his death from a brain tumor on August 18, 2001.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_Runner_(soundtrack)

https://www.discogs.com/master/28181-The-New-American-Orchestra-Blade-Runner-Orchestral-Adaptation-Of-Music-Composed-For-The-Motion-Pictu

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Elliott_(composer)

The New American Orchestra Lyrics