Dewells "Dee" Barton Jr. (September 18, 1937 — December 3, 2001) was an American jazz trombonist, big band drummer, and prolific composer for big band and motion pictures. He is best known for his association with the Stan Kenton Orchestra.

Life

Early years

Dee Barton was born in

Houston, Mississippi Houston is a city in and one of two county seats of Chickasaw County, in northern Mississippi, United States. The population was 3,623 at the 2010 census. History Native American groups had long used the future Chickasaw County for millennia b ...

in 1937. The family moved to

Starkville, Mississippi Starkville is a city in, and the county seat of, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States. Mississippi State University is a land-grant institution and is located partially in Starkville but primarily in an adjacent unincorporated area desig ...

in 1941. His father became the band director at

Starkville High School Starkville High School (SHS) is a public secondary school in Starkville, Mississippi, United States. It is the only high school in the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, serving grades 9–12. It offers more than 140 courses, ...

. "My dad brought home an old E flat mellophone and at the age of three I figured out the fingerings on it," said Barton. Barton later took up the trombone. He practiced in the school band room for 10 hours a day, and was able to help when his father was ill. Barton was able to take over his father's work and teach all of his classes for two years to keep the

job running.Voce, Steve. The Independent. Dee Barton, obit. Saturday 22 December 2001 01:00Cuscuna, Michael. The Jazz Compositions of Dee Barton. CD Liner noters. 2007 Barton went onto attended

Murray State University Murray State University (MSU) is a public university in Murray, Kentucky. In addition to the main campus in Calloway County in southwestern Kentucky, Murray State operates extended campuses offering upper level and graduate courses in Paducah, H ...

and after that

North Texas State University The University of North Texas (UNT) is a public research university in Denton, Texas. It was founded as a nonsectarian, coeducational, private teachers college in 1890 and was formally adopted by the state 11 years later."Denton Normal School," ...

where he was a member of the famed One O'Clock Lab Band under Gene Hall and

Leon Breeden Harold Leon Breeden (3 October 1921 – 11 August 2010) was a jazz educator and musician. Biography When he was three his parents moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where he grew up and graduated from high school. He attended Texas Wesleyan College i ...

. In 1957 Barton already had a reputation and wanted to study composition at

but had no money. Dr. Gene Hall, head of the department of music, arranged a full scholarship for Barton.

Professional work and Stan Kenton

Barton early on had an ambition to join the Stan Kenton Orchestra. He first met Kenton backstage at a concert in 1953 when Barton was 15. "Stan was very strange in one sense," said Barton. "He never forgot the name of anybody I ever saw him meet. I didn't see him until two years later when I'd grown some. So I was surprised when he called me by name." Determined then to get away from Mississippi, Barton went on the road in 1956 with Ralph Marterie's big band. "He was not a kind man, and it was a most unpleasant experience that almost turned me against the road altogether." He left the band in New York three weeks later and replaced an absent trombonist in the

Maynard Ferguson Walter Maynard Ferguson CM (May 4, 1928 – August 23, 2006) was a Canadian jazz trumpeter and bandleader. He came to prominence in Stan Kenton's orchestra before forming his own big band in 1957. He was noted for his bands, which often served ...

Big Band. He also worked with the Charlie Spivak band during that time. While Barton was attending school, Stan Kenton came to teach at a music clinic at

in August 1959. Kenton became very familiar with Barton's playing and writing abilities. In 1961, at the age of 23, Barton joined Kenton's orchestra in the trombone section. His compositions ''Waltz of the Prophets'' and ''Turtle Talk'' were recorded as part of Kenton's Grammy award-winning album ''

Adventures in Jazz ''Adventures in Jazz'' is an album by the Stan Kenton Orchestra, recorded in late 1961 but not released until about a year later in November 1962. The album won a Grammy Award in the category for Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, B ...

''. He served on three other major Capitol releases in the trombone section. Barton also acted as a substitute for Kenton's drummer on occasion and in June 1962 he gave up a trombone chair and became the band's drummer recording on ''

Adventures in Time ''Adventures in Time'' (subtitle ''A Concerto for Orchestra arranged by Johnny Richards'') is an album by the Stan Kenton Orchestra featuring compositions by Johnny Richards recorded in 1962 and released by Capitol Records.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Di ...

'' in September 1962, as well as four subsequent Kenton releases. He eventually left the band in late 1963 to pursue a wider music career in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. He returned for short tours in 1967 worked with Kenton as drummer and arranger on the album '' The World We Know'' and ''

Finian's Rainbow ''Finian's Rainbow'' is a musical with a book by E. Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Burton Lane, produced by Lee Sabinson. The original 1947 Broadway production ran for 725 performances, while a film version was re ...

'' (1968). The highlight of Barton's tenure with Kenton came on the Capitol release '' Stan Kenton Conducts the Jazz Compositions of Dee Barton'' where he is showcased as both composer and drummer.

Clint Eastwood and Los Angeles

Barton moved to Los Angeles and eventually wrote the scores for more than 50 Hollywood films. In his spare time he ran a big band that played regularly at Donte's, a North Hollywood night-club. It was there

Clint Eastwood Clinton Eastwood Jr. (born May 31, 1930) is an American actor and film director. After achieving success in the Western TV series '' Rawhide'', he rose to international fame with his role as the "Man with No Name" in Sergio Leone's "''Doll ...

heard Barton's music, eventually commissioning him to write the scores for the films '' Play Misty For Me'' (1971), ''

High Plains Drifter ''High Plains Drifter'' is a 1973 American Western film directed by Clint Eastwood, written by Ernest Tidyman, and produced by Robert Daley for The Malpaso Company and Universal Pictures. The film stars Eastwood as a mysterious stranger who ...

'' (1973), '' Thunderbolt and Lightfoot'' (1974) and '' Every Which Way But Loose'' (1978). Barton also contributed to the writing for five other Eastwood films, including '' Dirty Harry'' (1971) and ''

Magnum Force ''Magnum Force'' is a 1973 American neo-noir vigilante action thriller film and the second to feature Clint Eastwood as maverick cop Harry Callahan after the 1971 film ''Dirty Harry''. Ted Post, who had previously worked with Eastwood on '' Ra ...

'' (1973). Barton worked as a music consultant for Frank Sinatra, the

Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the g ...

Peggy Lee Norma Deloris Egstrom (May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002), known professionally as Peggy Lee, was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress, over a career spanning seven decades. From her beginning as a vocalis ...

, Tony Bennett,

John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...

and others. He helped Jimmy Webb with the composition of ''

MacArthur Park MacArthur Park (originally Westlake Park) is a park dating back to the late 19th century in the Westlake, Los Angeles, Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles. In the early 1940s, it was renamed after General Douglas MacArthur, and later designated ...

'' and later wrote an arrangement of the tune for Stan Kenton.

Back to the Mid-South: Memphis TN, Jackson MS

In 1973 Barton moved to

Memphis TN Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-most ...

to become musical director for the William B. Tanner Company (recording studio, media, jingle writing). He worked there until 1988 when he left to work independently and teach seminars at schools. His 1996 album, ''The

Dallas Jazz Orchestra The Dallas Jazz Orchestra (DJO) is an American jazz big band based in Dallas, Texas. Founded by Galen Jeter and Thom Mason in 1973, the DJO was once called "the only community-supported jazz orchestra in the world" by radio show host Dr. Cone Jo ...

Plays Dee Barton'', was nominated for a Grammy. He continued for live music performances and in films mainly with

London Symphony Orchestra The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is a British symphony orchestra based in London. Founded in 1904, the LSO is the oldest of London's orchestras, symphony orchestras. The LSO was created by a group of players who left Henry Wood's Queen's ...

and in Europe. In 1998 Barton moved to Brandon, Mississippi and he became composer in residence at Jackson State University. "I teach orchestration, composition and advanced theory. Working with kids is what I really enjoy. They're hungry for somebody that has done it, rather than somebody that has gone to school all their life."

Personal life

Barton's first marriage was to Jeri Catheryne Robinson. They had two sons, DeWells Barton III (b. 29 September 29, 1959, Collin County, Texas) and Shannon Barton (b. October 14, 1962,

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

). He has three grandchildren, DeWells Barton III's children: Cole Barton (b. October 18, 1999

) and Haley Barton (b. February 1, 2002 Denton, Texas), and Shannon Barton's child: Jake Barton (b. 1997

) His second wife was Jane E. Earl (married August 15, 1965

– divorced, September 1969,

). Dee's brother, William D. "Bill" Barton, was a trombonist, pianist, arranger and band leader. He died December 8, 2007.''Obituary, William D. "Bill" Barton'', Starkville Daily News, December 14, 2007
/ref> Barton died in Brandon, Mississippi on December 3, 2001 at the age of 64.

Selected filmography

* '' Play Misty for Me'' (1971) * ''

'' (1973) * '' Thunderbolt and Lightfoot'' (1974) Other studios * '' The Marshal of Windy Hollow'' (1972)

Earl Owensby Studios Earl Owensby Studios (shortened to E.O. Studios) is an American-based film and television film studio that was founded in 1974 by producer/actor Ernest Earl Owensby (born 1935). The studio was responsible for the development, production, and dis ...

* ''

Death Screams ''Death Screams'' (also titled ''House of Death'' and ''Night Screams'') is a 1982 American slasher film directed by David Nelson. Plot In a small Southern town, couple Ted and Angie are brutally murdered while having sex down by the riverfront ...

'' (1982) * ''Tales of the Third Dimension'' (1984) * ''Chain Gang'' (1984) * ''Unmasking the Idol'' (1986) * '' The Order of the Black Eagle'' (1987) * '' The Rutherford County Line'' (1987)

Selected Big Band Charts

Here's That Rainy Day "Here's That Rainy Day" is a popular song with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke that was published in 1953. It was introduced by Dolores Gray in the Broadway musical '' Carnival in Flanders''. Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra ...

" * "Waltz of the Prophets" ©1962 * "MacArthur Park, parts 1 & 2" * "Three thoughts" * "Woman" ("The muse") * "New day" ("Elegy") * "Dilemma" ("The Chez Rah") * "Man" * "Lonely boy" * "My foolish heart" * "Elegy" ("a new day") * "Personal sounds part 1" * "Personal sounds part 2" * "Personal sounds part 3" * "Personal sounds part 4" * "Personal sounds part 5" * "The snake" (unissued) * "How are Things in Glocca Morra?" * "Lullaby" from ''Rosemary's Baby'' * "Modern man;" a concerto for orchestra, ©1968 * "Stan Kenton prologue" ©1968 * "Dee Day" 1997

Selected discography

As sideman (trombone) *

Ed Summerlin Edgar Eugene Summerlin (September 1, 1928 – October 10, 2006) was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator known for pioneering Liturgical jazz, avant-garde jazz, and free jazz. Professional career While a graduate student at the ...

, ''

Liturgical Jazz ''Liturgical Jazz'' is the first studio album by tenor saxophonist/composer-arranger Ed Summerlin. It was recorded and released in 1959 on the Ecclesia label. Reception ''Liturgical Jazz'' was billed as "a musical setting of an order of morning ...

'' Ecclesia (1959) * One O'Clock Lab Band, University of North Texas College of Music, 90th Floor Records, Dallas (1961) * Don Jacoby and the College All-Stars, ''Swinging Big Sound'' :: Recorded in Chicago, October 1961,

Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...

As trombonist with Stan Kenton * ''Horns of Plenty, Volume 2'' (2-CD set, 1st CD is Kenton; 2nd CD is the One O'Clock Lab Band), Tantara Records (2000) :: 1st CD recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 16 & 17; and Santa Barbara, California, December 8, 1961 * '' One Night Stand 5491'' :: Recorded at the Marine Ballroom,

Steel Pier The Steel Pier is a 1,000-foot-long () amusement park built on a pier of the boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, across from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City (formerly the Trump Taj Mahal). Begun in 1898, it was one of the most po ...

Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020, the city had a population of 38,497.

, September 2–4, 1961 * ''Stan Kenton And His Orchestra'' :: Recorded at the Manhattan Center, New York City, 1 to 4 PM, September 26, 1961 :: "Waltz of the prophets," arranged by Barton * ''

Adventures in Standards ''Adventures in Standards'' is an album of Broadway show tunes by the Stan Kenton Orchestra recorded in 1961 for Capitol Records but not released until 1975 on Kenton's Creative World label.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Discographyaccessed June 8, 2016

'', Creative World :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, December 5, 6 and 7, 1961 * ''

Adventures In Jazz ''Adventures in Jazz'' is an album by the Stan Kenton Orchestra, recorded in late 1961 but not released until about a year later in November 1962. The album won a Grammy Award in the category for Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, B ...

'', Creative World :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, December 11 & 12, 13, and 14, 1961 :: "Waltz of the prophets," arranged by Barton (recorded December 12 and 14, 1961) * U.A. Air Force Reserve Radio Transcriptions: "Sound '62"'' :: Radio transcriptions, Hollywood, CA, December 15 & 16, 1961 :: "Waltz of the prophets" (performed) * ''Mellophonium Moods 1962'', :: Broadcast, Patio Gardens Ballroom, New Lagoon, Salt Lake City, Utah, March 1962 * ''

Stan Kenton! Tex Ritter! ''Stan Kenton! Tex Ritter!'' is an album by the Stan Kenton Orchestra with country music vocalist Tex Ritter performing country music compositions arranged in a big band style recorded and released by Capitol Records in 1962.Vosbein, PStan Kento ...

'',

Capitol Records Capitol Records, LLC (known legally as Capitol Records, Inc. until 2007) is an American record label distributed by Universal Music Group through its Capitol Music Group imprint. It was founded as the first West Coast-based record label of note ...

(1962) :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, March 26, 29, and 30 * ''Stan Kenton And His Orchestra, Introducing Jean Turner'' :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, 8 to 11 PM, April 3, 1962 :: Private Recording,

Bascom, Ohio Bascom ( ) is a census-designated place in western Hopewell Township, Seneca County, Ohio. It has a post office with the ZIP code 44809 and hosts Hopewell-Loudon High School. The community is located at the intersection of State Routes 18 and 6 ...

, April 23, 1962 :: "Waltz of the prophets" (recorded April 23, 1962) * ''The Sound Of Sixty-two'' :: Live performance, Holiday Ballroom, Northbrook, Chicago, May 6, 1962 :: "Waltz of the Prophets" (performed) As drummer with Stan Kenton * ''Horns Of Plenty, Volume 3'' :: Recorded in Westbury, New York, July 2, 1962 :: "Waltz of the Prophets" (performed) :: '' One Night Stand 5707'' :: Marine Ballroom,

, July 19, 1962 * ''Stan Kenton And His Orchestra'' :: Broadcasts, WNEW Radio Studios, New York, afternoon, July 28, 1962 * ''Live from Freedomland,'' ''The Bronx, New York'', 8 pm, July 28, 1962 :: "Waltz of the Prophets" (performed) * ''More Mellophonium Moods'' :: Live, Patio Gardens Ballroom, The Lagoon, Salt Lake City, August 24, 1962 * ''

'',

(1963) :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, September 24, 25, 27, and 28, 1962 * ''

Artistry in Bossa Nova ''Artistry in Bossa Nova'' is an album by the Stan Kenton Orchestra performing old and new compositions arranged in a bossa nova style recorded and released by Capitol Records in 1963.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Discographyaccessed June 9, 2016 Recepti ...

'' :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, April 16, 17, 1963 * ''

Artistry in Voices and Brass ''Artistry in Voices and Brass'' is an album by the Stan Kenton Orchestra revisiting their popular compositions with new lyrics composed by Milt Raskin and arranged by Pete Rugolo for an 18-member vocal chorus and trombone section recorded in 1963 ...

(1964) :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, April 19, 1963, and September 10, 1963 * ''The Best of Brant Inn'' :: Broadcast, Brant Inn, ''Burlington, Ontario'', Canada, June 12, 1963 :: "Waltz of the Prophets" (performed) * ''Live at Newport'' :: Live Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, Rhode Island, July 4, 1963 :: "Waltz of the Prophets" (performed) * ''Stan Kenton And His Orchestra'' :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, September 10, 1963 * '' Stan Kenton / Jean Turner'' :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, September 11 & 12, 1963 * ''Kenton In England'' :: Recorded at

Free Trade Hall The Free Trade Hall on Peter Street, Manchester, England, was constructed in 1853–56 on St Peter's Fields, the site of the Peterloo Massacre. It is now a Radisson hotel. The hall was built to commemorate the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. T ...

, Manchester, England, November 23, 1963 :: "Waltz of the Prophets" (performed) * ''Kenton — Road Band '67'' :: Recorded at Moonlight Gardens, Coney Island Park, Cincinnati, Ohio, June 9 & 10, 1967 :: "Here's That Rainy Day," arranged by Barton :: "Three thoughts," arranged by Barton :: "The Singing Oyster," arranged by Barton *'' The World We Know'' (Capitol, 1967) :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, 2–5 PM, October 2, 1967; and 2—5 PM & 6—9 PM, October 3, 1967; 2—6:30 PM), October 4, 1967 * ''

The Jazz Compositions of Dee Barton ''The Jazz Compositions of Dee Barton'' is an album by bandleader Stan Kenton recorded in 1967 by Capitol Records.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Discographyaccessed July 4, 2016 Capitol Records Capitol Records, LLC (known legally as Capitol Records, Inc. until 2007) is an American record label distributed by Universal Music Group through its Capitol Music Group imprint. It was founded as the first West Coast-based record label of note ...

:: Recorded in Hollywood, California, December 19 & 20, 1967 :# "The singing oyster" ("The gay one") :# "Three thoughts" :# "Woman" ("The muse") :# "New day" ("Elegy") :# "Dilemma" ("The Chez Rah") :# "Man" :# "Lonely boy" * ''Stan Kenton at Fountain Street Church — Part One'' :: Recorded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, March 31, 1968 :: "Here's That Rainy Day" (performed) :: "Three thoughts" (performed) :: "Woman" ("The Muse") (performed) * ''Stan Kenton At Fountain Street Church — Part Two'' :: Recorded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, March 31, 1968 :: "My foolish heart," arranged by Barton :: "Elegy" ("A New Day") (performed) * ''Stan Kenton'',

(unissued) :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, 11AM – 2PM, 2:45 – 5:45 PM, May 7, 1968 :: "Personal sounds part 1," arranged by Barton :: "Personal sounds part 2," arranged by Barton :: "Personal sounds part 3," arranged by Barton :: "Personal sounds part 4," arranged by Barton :: "Personal sounds part 5," arranged by Barton * ''Stan Kenton And His Orchestra'',

:: Recorded in Hollywood, California, July 15 3 — 6 PM, 1968 :: "MacArthur Park, parts 1 & 2," arranged by Barton :: "The snake," arranged by Barton (unissued) *''

'' (Capitol, 1968) :: Recorded in Hollywood, California, 3—6 PM, July 16, 1968; 3—6 PM, July 17, 1968; 3—7 PM, July 18, 1968 :: "How are Things in Glocca Morra?," arranged by Barton :: "Lullaby" from ''Rosemary's Baby,'' arranged by Barton Soley as arranger for Stan Kenton * ''Live At Redlands University'' :: Live at Memorial Chapel,

Redlands University The University of Redlands is a private university headquartered in Redlands, California. The university's main, residential campus is situated on 160 acres (65 ha) near downtown Redlands. An additional eight regional locations throughout Califo ...

Redlands, California Redlands ( ) is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 73,168, up from 68,747 at the 2010 census. The city is located approximately west of Palm Springs and east of Lo ...

, August 3, 4, 5, 1970 :: "MacArthur Park" (performed August 3, 1970) :: "Here's That Rainy Day" (performed August 5, 1970) As arranger *

Pete Jolly Pete Jolly (born Peter A. Ceragioli Jr., June 5, 1932 – November 6, 2004) was a two-time Grammy-nominated American West Coast jazz pianist and accordionist. He is known for his performance of television themes and movie soundtracks. Biogr ...

, ''Give a Damn'', A&M Records (1969) :: Live Donte's, North Hollywood, c. 1969 :: Brass arrangements by Barton *

Mark Masters Mark Masters is an American media entrepreneur, known for being the CEO of Talk Radio Network and its four sister networks.

External links

* Read interview with Dee Barton and complete biography, see photos, and hear music written by him at http://mswritersandmusicians.com/musicians/dee-barton.html
Obituary
*

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barton, Dee 1937 births 2001 deaths American film score composers American male film score composers Murray State University alumni University of North Texas College of Music alumni People from Houston, Mississippi 20th-century American composers 20th-century American male musicians