PETER GUNN (TV)

The show's use of modern jazz music was a distinctive touch that helped set the standard for many years to come, with cool jazz themes accompanying every move Gunn made. The music, composed by Henry Mancini, was performed by a small jazz ensemble which included a number of prominent Los Angeles-based jazz and studio musicians. Trumpeter Pete Candoli, alto saxophonist Ted Nash, flutist Ronny Lang, trombonist Dick Nash, and pianist John Williams provided most of the improvised jazz solos.

Prominent jazz musicians occasionally made on-screen appearances. Trumpeter Shorty Rogers appeared in the episode titled "The Frog" playing flugelhorn as Lola sings "How High the Moon". Drummer Shelly Manne, in addition to performing on the soundtrack album, was credited with a Special Guest role in the 1959 episode "Keep Smiling" playing drums in  the "Bamboo Club" combo. Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida plays guitar as himself in the 1959 episode "Skin Deep".

In his autobiography Did They Mention the Music? Mancini stated:

The Peter Gunn title theme actually derives more from rock and roll than from jazz. I used guitar and piano in unison, playing what is known in music as an ostinato, which means obstinate. It was sustained throughout the piece, giving it a sinister effect, with some frightened saxophone sounds and some shouting brass. The piece has one chord throughout and a super-simple top line. 

The "Peter Gunn Theme" became an instant hit, earning Mancini an Emmy Award nomination and two Grammys. The RCA Victor soundtrack album by Henry Mancini, The Music from Peter Gunn, was voted Album of the Year at the 1st Annual Grammy Awards in 1959 and reached No. 1 in Billboard's Pop LP Charts. The popularity of this album prompted RCA Victor to issue a second Mancini album of Peter Gunn music titled More Music from Peter Gunn. Bandleader Ray Anthony's recording of the theme music reached No. 8 on Billboard's Hot 100. Shelly Manne recorded two jazz albums of themes from the show in 1959, Shelly Manne & His Men Play Peter Gunn and Son of Gunn!!.

"The Peter Gunn Theme" has been recorded and performed by numerous musicians. Today, many people who have never seen the TV show can easily identify the theme.

The theme was also used in the Spy Hunter arcade video game. - Wikipedia



ARTIST/COMPOSER
Henry Mancini

LABEL
BMG/RCA Records - 1956-2-R

FORMAT
CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered

COUNTRY
US

RELEASED
© 1988

TRACK LISTING

01. HENRY MANCINI - Peter Gunn 2:04
(Henry Mancini)

02. HENRY MANCINI - Sorta Blue 2:56
(Henry Mancini)

03. HENRY MANCINI - The Brothers Go To Mother's 2:55
(Henry Mancini)

04. HENRY MANCINI - Dreamsville 3:54
(Henry Mancini)

05. HENRY MANCINI - Session At Pete's Pad 3:58
(Henry Mancini)

06. HENRY MANCINI - Soft Sounds 3:34
(Henry Mancini)

07. HENRY MANCINI - Fallout! 3:13
(Henry Mancini)

08. HENRY MANCINI - The Floater 3:16
(Henry Mancini)

09. HENRY MANCINI - Slow and Easy 3:04
(Henry Mancini)

10. HENRY MANCINI - A Profound Gass 3:18
(Henry Mancini)

11. HENRY MANCINI - Brief and Breezy 3:32
(Henry Mancini)

12. HENRY MANCINI - Not From Dixie 4:08

(Henry Mancini)

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ARTIST/COMPOSER
Henry Mancini

LABEL
BMG/RCA Records - 74321-29857-2

FORMAT
CD, Album, Reissue

COUNTRY
Japan

RELEASED
© 2000

TRACK LISTING

01. HENRY MANCINI - Walkin' Bass 3:40
(Henry Mancini)

02. HENRY MANCINI - Timothy 2:35
(Henry Mancini)

03. HENRY MANCINI - Joanna 2:44
(Henry Mancini)

04. HENRY MANCINI - My Manne Shelly 2:38
(Henry Mancini)

05. HENRY MANCINI - Goofin' At The Coffee House 4:13
(Henry Mancini)

06. HENRY MANCINI - Odd Ball 3:26
(Henry Mancini)

07. HENRY MANCINI - Blue Steel 3:42
(Henry Mancini)

08. HENRY MANCINI - The Little Man Theme 3:15
(Henry Mancini)

09. HENRY MANCINI - Spook! 2:59
(Henry Mancini)

10. HENRY MANCINI - A Quiet Gass 3:05
(Henry Mancini)

11. HENRY MANCINI - Lightly 3:26
(Henry Mancini)

12. HENRY MANCINI - Blues For Mother's 3:20

(Henry Mancini)

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