Samuel Louis Nistico (February 6, 1920 – January 17, 2021). One of the most prominent big band arrangers of the 1960s. He is best known for his close relationship with the Count Basie Orchestra. Sammy Nestico, an award-winning arranger, composer and educator, is well-known for his work with the Count Basie Orchestra. Nestico began his career as a trombonist in his youth. He then became a sideman and arranger in Charlie Barnet’s big-band band, before he embarked on a 15-year military career that included leading the Airmen of Note (and the Marine Band) respectively. After his military service in the late ’60s, he formed a lasting relationship with Count Basie. He arranged over ten albums together with the legendary bandleader. He was also a popular composer for television and film, and an arranger for many luminaries such as Frank Sinatra and Toni Tennille. He moved into university teaching in the 1990s but remained active as an arranger. He was nominated for Grammys for albums such as 2002’s “This Is the Moment”, 2009’s “Fun Time with the SWR Big Band” and 2015’s “A Very Swingin’ Basie Holiday”. Nestico was born Samuel Louis Nestico on December 24, 1924. He grew up in Pittsburgh during World War II and became obsessed by big-band music as a child. Tommy Dorsey was an influence on Nestico’s trombone playing in his eighth-grade band. He was already playing in big-band gigs by his sophomore year of highschool. At 17 he joined the orchestra at Pittsburgh’s ABC-affiliated WCAE Radio Station. He was a self-taught pianist and learned to arrange music by listening to recordings by Sy Oliver, Dorsey, and other musicians. He quickly rose to the rank of orchestra staff arranger despite his lack of formal training. He joined Charlie Barnet’s bigband in 1946 and spent many months arranging and playing trombone. He returned to Pittsburgh in the fall of 1946 and, at the request of his mother, enrolled at Duquesne University, where he received a degree as a music educator in 1950. After a year as a teacher, Nestico enlisted in the Air Force Band, Washington, D.C. Nestico served the Air Force for 15 years, becoming the leader of the well-known big band, the Airmen of Note. He led the Marine Band for five years after he left the Air Force. While serving in the Marines, he learned that his family name was Nistico and that he was related to Sal Nistico, Count Basie’s saxophonist. After meeting the reedist, the young man began to write charts for Basie. This culminated in the 1968 album Basie Straight Ahead. He moved to California during this time and continued his association with Basie. He recorded ten albums with Basie including 1969’s Standing Ovation and 1971’s Have a Nice Day. In 1981, Warm Breeze won the Grammy and 1983’s Grammy-winning 88 Basie street. He was also a music composer for television, film and commercial projects, including Mannix, Charlie’s Angels and The Mod Squad. Nestico was a Basie member and made his debut as a leader in 1982’s big band album Dark Orchid. Night Flight followed. For 1988’s Big Band Favorites Of Sammy Nestico, Nestico assembled an all-star West Coast band that included trumpeter Conte Candoli and trombonist Bill Watrous. He also arranged for drummer Louis Bellson and saxophonists Pete Christlieb, Bud Shank and trombonist Bill Watrous to play. Nestico also worked with other musicians in the 1980s, such as arranging Toni Tennille’s 1984 big-band album “More Than You Know”. His arrangements were also recorded by Buddy Rich, Buddy Rich and Louis Bellson as well as Barbra Streisand and Patti Austin. Nestico returned to teaching in the 1990s. He was a University of Georgia professor where he taught commercial orchestration as well as conducting the studio orchestra. Nestico also managed music programs at Los Angeles Pierce College in Los Angeles and Westinghouse Memorial High School, Wilmerding, Pennsylvania. He published The Complete Arranger in 1993. His alma mater Duquesne University has honored him three times, including an honorary Doctor of Music degree and the Distinguished Alumni award. In 1994, he was inducted into the school’s “Century Club”. He continued to be praised for his swinging arrangements and was nominated for two Grammys. He was also a member of Germany’s SWR Big Band, where he recorded 2005’s No Time Like the Present and 2005’s Basie Cally Sammy. The Music of Count Basie u0026 Sammy Nestico. Similar work was done with the BBC Big Band in Britain, Germany’s NDR Big Band and Denmark’s DR Big Band. Further nominations for Grammys were made for his 2009 Fun Time with the SWR Big Band, and 2015’s Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas. Scotty Barnhart, the Count Basie Orchestra. He has also collaborated with modern-day crooners like Matt Dusk, Michael Buble, and Daniel Rodriguez. He reunited with SWR Big Band in 2017 for A Cool Breeze. Allmusic
