Sammy Nestico

ABOUT SAMMY NESTICO

American composer, musician, songwriter, arranger, and orchestrator known for work on films including Mission: Impossible , Mannix, M*A*S*H, Charlie's Angels , The Color Purple , and The Mod Squad. He has been given honorary doctorates and awards from various universities and institutions for his work.

At the young age of 17, he joined his high school's band and the local ABC radio station as a trombonist. He later studied music education at Duquesne University.

He joined the army during World War II and served for five years. While in the army, he served as chief arranger for the United States Marine Band, where he served under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

His father was a railroad worker and an Italian immigrant. He had three sons with his first wife. He later married his second wife Shirley in the year 1995.

His first work out of the army was as an arranger for swing musician Count Basie .