William Bachman

William Bachman, 71, a Local 802 member since 1958, died on Nov. 18.

Mr. Bachman was a clarinetist with an extensive musical career spanning over four decades. He earned B.S. and M.A. degrees from Columbia University, where he was a recipient of the George S. Record Foundation scholarship. He also received training at the National Orchestra Association, where he held a scholarship for clarinet studies.

Mr. Bachman performed with the L’Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec, the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra, the New York City Opera Orchestra, the Royal Ballet Orchestra, the Little Orchestra Society, the Goldman Memorial Band, the Seuffert Band, the Mantovani Orchestra, the Band of America, the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, and the Broadway shows “My Fair Lady” and “Man of La Mancha.”

He was also a longtime member of the music faculty at the Calhoun School.

Mr. Bachman was “an extraordinarily kind and gentle man,” wrote his stepdaughter Jessica in an e-mail to Allegro.

Mr. Bachman is survived by his wife Loretta, stepdaughters Andrea and Jessica, and grandchildren James, Nick, Bobby, Jack and Leah.

The family suggests that donations be made to the American Heart Association (see www.AmericanHeart.org).

Morris Nanton

Morris Nanton, 80, a pianist and a Local 802 member since 1959, died on Nov. 15.

As a young man, Mr. Nanton won a full scholarship to Juilliard. Later, he served in the 5th Army Division Band during the Korean War. But his most memorable accomplishment was his trio, with Norman Edge on bass and Jeff Brillinger on drums.

The Morris Nanton Trio played together for over 50 years, with 22 of those at the Cove in Roselle, New Jersey, where such jazz greats as Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Don Elliott, Sal Nestico, Babs Gonzalez and Joe Morello shared the spotlight with the group. They accompanied vocalists Jack Jones, Mel Torme, Nel Carter, and Barbra Streisand, among many others. They performed privately for Walter Cronkite, Eileen Ford, architect Robert Moses, the New York Giants, and the Los Angeles engagement party and New York wedding of Marvin Hamlisch.

The trio also recorded numerous albums and in fact its recording of the jazz standard”Ja-Da” was allegedly the first music to be heard in outer space, as the recording came over Apollo’s radio during the first orbit around the Earth.

Mr. Nanton’s last performance was Sept. 27, 2009, the day before his 80th birthday.

He is survived by his wife Lisa, sons Seth and Jesse, brother LeRoy, nephews Dennis and Hugh, and niece Lori Nanton Harris.

The family suggests that contributions may be made to the Living Memorial Foundation of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Call David Adams at (732) 324-8085.

Edited from www.obits.nj.com

Torrie Zito

Torrie Zito, 76, a Local 802 member since 1956, died on Dec. 3.

Mr. Zito was a jazz pianist and conductor, but was best known as a world-class arranger.

He worked with Billie Holiday, Stan Getz, Perry Como, Billy Eckstine, Herbie Mann, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme, Nana Mouskouri,Bobby Short, Marvin Hamlisch, Roberto Carlos, Sinead O’Connor, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Darin, Morgana King, Johnny Mathis, Clay Aiken, Liza Minnelli, Morgana King, O. C. Smith, Quincy Jones, and Carly Simon.

He was widely known for his work with John Lennon on the album “Imagine,” as string arranger.

According to the New York Times, Mr. Zito’s most enduring musical relationship was with Tony Bennett. Their work together can be heard on more than a dozen Bennett albums, most recently on “A Swingin’ Christmas,” which was released last year and has been nominated for a Grammy Award. In an e-mail message to the New York Times, Mr. Bennett said that Mr. Zito “gave me the greatest musical education I ever had.”

“I was fortunate to have worked with Torrie for many years,” wrote Local 802 member Larry Abel in an e-mail to Allegro. “He was always so concerned that his notation on every score page was concise and readable for any music copyist. A 100 percent professional musician and a very appreciative and warm individual. I am so sorry that he has left us.”

Steven Danenberg, the music prep administrator for Local 802, said, “Everyone that knew Torrie would agree that he was a gentleman and a musical giant.”

He is survived by his wife Helen Merrill-Zito, daughter Lisa, brother Ronnie and stepson Alan.

Edited from Wikipedia and the New York Times.

We also remember…

Adelchi L. Ceroni, violin
Fred Davies, pipe organ
Nan Keyes, piano
Natalicio M. Lima, guitar
Samuel Marguccio (“Sammy Marg”), bass
Vic Mizzy, piano
Eugene Orloff, violin
Albert C. Randolph, guitar
Louis Teicher, piano

To report the death of a member, please call Tamea Dunn at (212) 245-4802. Be sure to ask about any possible refund of Local 802 membership dues. Spouses of deceased members should also call the AFM Pension Fund at (800) 833-8065, ext. 1311, to ask about any possible benefits. To submit an obituary to Allegro, e-mail Allegro editor Mikael Elsila at Allegro@Local802afm.org or call (646) 765-9663.