Percy Faith was a Canadian bandleader, orchestrator, composer, and conductor known for his lush arrangements of pop and Christmas standards. Born on April 7, 1908, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Faith was a child prodigy who initially trained as a violinist. However, an injury to his hands shifted his focus from performing to arranging and conducting. Moving to the United States in 1940, he became a major part of the American music scene, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s. Percy Faith is perhaps best remembered for his number one hit, "Theme from A Summer Place," which epitomized the sound of an era with its sweeping strings and a sense of romantic nostalgia.

Throughout his career, Percy Faith & His Orchestra released a prolific catalog of albums, showcasing a versatile range that spanned from Latin to country to holiday music, as seen in works like "Amor," "Christmas Melodies," and "Country Bouquet." His music often featured in the soundtracks of the listeners' lives, providing the backdrop for everything from holiday celebrations to intimate moments. Albums such as "The Essential Percy Faith - The Christmas Recordings" and "The Essential Percy Faith - The Instrumental Recordings" compile some of his most cherished arrangements, highlighting his contributions to elevating instrumental pop to mainstream popularity. Percy Faith's ability to create rich, evocative soundscapes with an orchestra made him a beloved figure in music history until his death on February 9, 1976. His legacy lives on through his timeless recordings and the indelible mark he left on the world of music.

Genres

Easy Listening

Man's Orchestra

Related Artists

Henry Mancini

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

Ray Conniff

Les Baxter

Leroy Anderson

Martin Denny

Lawrence Welk

Antônio Carlos Jobim

Astrud Gilberto

Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66

Quincy Jones

Toots Thielemans

Latest Release

Amor

Percy Faith & His Orchestra

Album - 12 Tracks - Released May 5, 2023