Biography
Boris Claudio "Lalo" Schifrin was born on June 21, 1932, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and became one of the most prolific and versatile composers of the 20th century[1]. Though he initially studied sociology and law at the University of Buenos Aires, his passion for music led him to pursue a scholarship to the Conservatoire de Paris at age 20, where he studied under the legendary composers Olivier Messiaen and Charles Koechlin[1][4]. During his time in Paris from 1952 onward, Schifrin balanced formal classical training with his love of jazz, performing in Parisian jazz clubs at night and representing Argentina at the International Jazz Festival in 1955[1][4]. In 1955, he played piano with the renowned bandoneon player Ástor Piazzolla, further developing his unique blend of classical, jazz, and Latin American musical elements[1].
Returning to Argentina in the mid-1950s, Schifrin formed Latin America's first jazz orchestra, a 16-piece big band that became a fixture on Buenos Aires television[1][7]. A pivotal moment came in 1956 when he met jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, who invited him to become his pianist and arranger after hearing him perform[1][5]. Schifrin moved to the United States in 1958 and worked with Gillespie from 1960 to 1962, composing major works including the Grammy-nominated "Gillespiana" (1960) and "The New Continent" (1962)[1][3]. During this period, he also signed with Verve Records in 1962 and won his first Grammy Award in 1965 for arranging "The Cat" for organist Jimmy Smith[3].
Schifrin's film and television career became his defining legacy, with over 180 credits to his name[6]. He achieved international recognition through his iconic "Theme from Mission: Impossible" (1966) and scores for acclaimed films including "Cool Hand Luke" (1967), "Bullitt," "Enter the Dragon" (1973), and the "Dirty Harry" film series[2][6]. His compositional style synthesized traditional orchestration with jazz and Latin American elements, creating a distinctive sound that influenced generations of film composers[3]. Beyond film work, Schifrin maintained an active classical composition career with over 60 works, and from 1993 onward, he pioneered the "Jazz Meets the Symphony" series with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring collaborations with jazz luminaries[5][6]. Over his lifetime, Schifrin received five Grammy Awards, six Oscar nominations, and one Latin Grammy Award[2][5]. He passed away on June 26, 2025, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy spanning jazz, classical, and film music[1].
Fun Facts
- Schifrin formed Latin America's first jazz orchestra, a 16-piece big band in Buenos Aires in the mid-1950s, which became part of a popular weekly television variety show[7]
- He was appointed Musical Director of the Paris Philharmonic Orchestra in 1987, a position created specifically by French musicians to record film music and perform concerts; he held this post for five years before resigning to focus on composing[5]
- His composition 'Pampas' for cello and piano, commissioned by virtuoso cellist Antonio Lysy and premiered in 2009, won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition in 2010[5]
- Schifrin's 'Marquis de Sade' LP, which placed jazz soloists in baroque and classical contexts, became a cult favorite among jazz critics and demonstrated his innovative approach to genre fusion[3]
Associated Acts
- Fire and Ice
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Olivier Messiaen - Classical composition instructor at the Conservatoire de Paris (Formal training in contemporary classical techniques) [1952 onwards]
- Charles Koechlin - Formal composition teacher at the Conservatoire de Paris; disciple of Maurice Ravel (Classical composition training) [1952 onwards]
- Dizzy Gillespie - Primary jazz mentor and collaborator; Schifrin stated 'I've had many teachers, but only one master: Dizzy Gillespie' (Gillespiana (1960), The New Continent (1962)) [1956-1962]
Key Collaborators
- Dizzy Gillespie - Pianist and arranger in Gillespie's quintet; composed extended works for his big band (Gillespiana, The New Continent) [1960-1962]
- Johnny Hodges - Alto saxophonist; recorded album together (Buenos Aires Blues (1963)) [1963]
- Jimmy Smith - Organist; Schifrin arranged 'The Cat' which won his first Grammy (The Cat) [1965]
- Stan Getz - Jazz saxophonist; Schifrin served as arranger (Various jazz arrangements) [1960s]
- Paul Horn - Flutist; Schifrin composed 'Jazz Suite on the Mass Texts' for him (Jazz Suite on the Mass Texts (1965)) [1965]
- Clint Eastwood - Film director and actor; extensive collaboration on multiple film scores (Dirty Harry series and related films) [Late 1960s-1980s]
- London Philharmonic Orchestra - Pianist and conductor for 'Jazz Meets the Symphony' recording series (Jazz Meets the Symphony series) [1993 onwards]
Artists Influenced
- Film composers (general) - His innovative synthesis of jazz, Latin, and orchestral elements in film scoring influenced subsequent generations of composers (Mission: Impossible theme, Bullitt, Enter the Dragon scores) [1960s onwards]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #big-band, #composers, #composition
Heard on WWOZ
Lalo Schifrin has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 30, 2025 | 17:57 | MANNIX THEMEfrom MANNIX | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ T.R. Johnson |