Gil Fuller

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Walter Gilbert Fuller, better known as Gil Fuller, was an American jazz arranger. He was born on 14 April 1920 in Los Angeles and died on 26 May 1994 in San Diego. He studied in New York and then returned to the West Coast, where he became an arranger for Les Hite. Later he wrote for Jimmie Lunceford and Tiny Bradshaw, and after Billy Eckstine formed his orchestra in 1944, Fuller became his arranger.

Music and breakthrough

In the 1930s and 1940s he wrote parts for many well-known bandleaders, including Benny Carter, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman and Count Basie. He also worked for Machito and Tito Puente. After the Second World War he was increasingly in demand as an arranger of bebop, in the same circle as Tadd Dameron, Gil Evans and George Russell. He wrote for Dizzy Gillespie's big band, and in 1965 the album Gil Fuller and the Monterey Jazz Festival Orchestra Featuring Dizzy Gillespie appeared.

Influence

In 1957 Fuller started a music publishing company of his own. He continued to work for jazz musicians, among them Stan Kenton, and also began writing for film and pop, including for Ray Charles. An arranger seldom appears on the sleeve, but his work determines how an orchestra sounds. Fuller helped translate bebop to the large orchestra.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1965Gil Fuller & The Monterey Jazz Festival Orchestra Featuring Dizzy Gillespie

In School of Rock

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• After Hours: Session 2^NL Reader