Sid Ramin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sidney Nathan Ramin (1919-01-22)January 22, 1919 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | July 1, 2019(2019-07-01) (aged 100) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Orchestrator,arranger,composer |
| Years active | 1950–2019 |
Sidney Nathan Ramin[1] (January 22, 1919 – July 1, 2019) was anAmericanorchestrator,arranger, andcomposer.
Sidney Nathan Ramin (orSidney Norton Ramin),[2] born in 1919, was the son of Russian-born Ezra Ramin,[1] a window trimmer, and Beatrice D. (Salamoff) Ramin. He grew up in theRoxbury neighborhood ofBoston and became friends with the youngLeonard Bernstein when he was 12 years old. Bernstein would remain a lifelong friend and mentor.[3] Ramin studied atBoston University and theNew England Conservatory of Music, before joining the Army. He served for five years, mostly in France, and upon his return began studies atColumbia University with the help of theG.I. Bill.[4]
Ramin orchestrated many television, film, and theatrical productions. He also composed the theme and lyrics for "Smile, You're on Candid Camera" of thehidden cameratelevision programCandid Camera in the 1960s. In his early years, Ramin frequently collaborated with arrangerRobert Ginzler, most notably onGypsy.[5] WithLeonard Bernstein andIrwin Kostal, he co-orchestrated the music forWest Side Story. He was the writer of the song "Music to Watch Girls By", first released as an instrumental single in 1967 by TheBob Crewe Generation.
Ramin married Gloria Breit, a singer and model, on January 9, 1949. They had one son,Ronald "Ron" Ramin, who also works as a composer.[6][7]
Ramin celebrated his 100th birthday on January 22, 2019 and died on July 1 of the same year.[2][8]
Ramin won several professional awards throughout his career.
