R.I.P.: Bill Finegan

Bill Finegan
(b: 3.Apr.1917, Newark/NJ; d: 4.Jun.2008, Bridgeport/CT)

The arranger and bandleader Bill Finegan died on June 4th in Bridgeport, Connecticut, at the age of 91 from complications of pneumonia. Finegan's career started in 1938 when Tommy Dorsey bought his arrangement on "Lonesome Road" and played it for Glenn Miller who hired the young arranger. From 1938 to 1942 Finegan write more than 300 arrangements for Miller, among them many popular hits. Later he worked for Tommy Dorsey, Horace Heidt and Les Elgart. In 1952 he teamed with fellow arranger Eddie Sauter to form their own band dedicated to more progressive forms of big band arrangements. The band lasted for five years after which Finegan wrote commercials and taught at the University of Bridgeport. On the side he continued to write for jazz musicians such as Carol Sloane, Sonny Stitt, Mel Lewis and Warren Vaché. Obituary: Los Angeles Times
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Additional obituary: Connecticut Post
June 5, 2008

William J. "Bill" Finegan, an American jazz bandleader, pianist, arranger, and composer of Monroe, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at Bridgeport Hospital. Born in Newark, N.J., Finegan grew up in a household full of piano players. He spent time studying at the Paris Conservatory. Finegan was a staff arranger for Glenn Miller. He remained with Miller until 1942 and arranged such hits as "Little Brown Jug," "Sunrise Serenade," and "Song of the Volga Boatmen." Finegan also arranged music for films in which the band appeared, such as "Sun Valley Serenade" (1941) and "Orchestra Wives" (1942). He then worked off and on for Tommy Dorsey from 1942 to 1952, including on the 1947 film "The Fabulous Dorseys." Finegan lived in Europe from 1948 to 1950. After returning to the United States, Finegan and Eddie Sauter formed a highly successful ensemble, the Sauter-Finegan orchestra, which remained active until 1957. H is composition "Doodletown Fifers" was one of the Sauter-Finegan orchestra's best-known originals. Following this Finegan found work in advertising, writing music for commercials. In the 1970s, he arranged for the Glenn Miller orchestra and Mel Lewis' orchestra. He taught jazz at the University of Bridgeport in the 1980s. He was predeceased by his wife, Rosemary O'Reilly Finegan. Survivors include his children, James Finegan and his wife Jennifer of Monroe, and Helen Dzujna and her husband Michael of Shelton; three grandchildren, David Dzujna, Julia Finegan and Ella Dzujna; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Cyril F. Mullins Trumbull Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Rd. Interment will be private. Friends may call Saturday from 12 p.m. until the time of service. For online condolences please visit http://www.mullinsfh.com/