Patrick Williams obit

Patrick Williams, Emmy-Winning TV Composer, Dies at 79

 He was not on the list.

Patrick Williams, who was best-known for his Emmy-winning television music but who was also a renowned and Grammy-winning big-band jazz leader and arranger, died Wednesday morning of complications from cancer at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 79.

 Williams was among the most versatile composers of his generation, earning an Oscar nomination (for adapting opera in “Breaking Away,” 1979), four Emmys (for dramatic music including “Lou Grant,” 1980) and two Grammys (for arrangements including his classic jazz album “Threshold,” 1974) during more than 50 years of music-making in New York and Los Angeles.

In the middle of his most prolific period, scoring music for TV including “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Bob Newhart Show” and “The Streets of San Francisco,” he was also nominated for the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in music for his groundbreaking “An American Concerto” (1976) for jazz quartet and symphony orchestra.

He scored nearly 50 films, often memorable scores for movies that were not big hits, including “Casey’s Shadow,” “The Cheap Detective” and “Cuba” in the 1970s; “Used Cars,” “Swing Shift” and “All of Me” in the 1980s; “Cry-Baby,” “The Grass Harp” and “That Old Feeling” in the 1990s.

But his primary occupation was music for television, which ultimately earned him 22 Emmy nominations for such memorable 1970s and ’80s series as “The Streets of San Francisco,” “Columbo,” “Lou Grant,” and “The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd,” and such notable 1990s telefilms as “Decoration Day,” “Geronimo” and “Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long.” His miniseries, all in the ’90s and early ’00s, included “Jewels,” “Jesus,” “Blonde” and “Hercules.”

Williams had the most fun in the recording studio, working with top jazz musicians on both coasts to record contemporary big-band albums. His 19 Grammy nominations were mostly for his jazz compositions and arrangements, starting with the landmark “Threshold” LP and later including albums from his own 1980s Soundwings label featuring saxophonist Tom Scott, trombonist Bill Watrous, and his own big band.

“Pat’s charts have a lyrical quality that makes them fun to play, and they swing like hell,” Scott said in 2010. “Whenever I get a call, ‘Pat Williams needs you,’ I would do anything to be there, whether it was a record or a movie or a TV show.” Added flutist Hubert Laws: “I’ve always had the greatest respect for Pat and his writing ability, with the melody and harmony and rhythm. The spontaneity of it all really intrigues me.” Respected jazz writer Gene Lees once said: “Pat’s writing is breathtaking. He’s just one of the finest arrangers and composers who ever put pen to paper.”

Williams arranged and conducted Frank Sinatra’s final studio recordings, “Duets” I and II in the early 1990s, and later paid tribute to the singer and his favorite tunes in his own 1998 album “Sinatraland.” Williams arranged for a wide variety of other singers including Barbra Streisand, Jack Jones, Natalie Cole, Neil Diamond, Gloria Estefan, Michael Feinstein, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Patti Austin, Barry Manilow, Monica Mancini and Bette Midler.

He was also highly active in music education, lecturing around the country and serving for five years (2001 to 2006) as artistic director of the Henry Mancini Institute, which trains young musicians for careers in music. Several of Williams’ later orchestral works (including “Adagio for Orchestra,” “Memento Mei” and “August”) debuted during the institute’s annual summer sessions in Los Angeles.

Williams was born April 23, 1939 in Bonne Terre, Mo., graduated from Duke University in 1961 and did post-graduate work at Columbia University. He worked as a composer, arranger and producer in New York before moving to Los Angeles in 1968 to seek work in the film and TV arena.

During the 1970s and ’80s, Williams scored hundreds of episodes of network TV series, variously lending a warm, comic, jazzy or dramatic sound as needed. In his own music for records and the concert hall, he strove to combine jazz and classical elements in a smoother, more organic way than had been previously achieved by most composers.

Williams wrote an estimated 30 concert works including “Gulliver” with narration written by Larry Gelbart, and a ballet, “Ziji”; and jazz concertos for trombonist Bill Watrous, clarinetist Eddie Daniels, saxophonist Tom Scott; and pianist Dave Grusin and saxophonist Gerry Mulligan.

He received an honorary doctorate in fine arts from his alma mater, Duke University, in 2001. His last big-band album, 2015’s “Home Suite Home,” featured long pieces dedicated to his wife Catherine and his three children, Elizabeth, Greer and Patrick, all of whom survive him.

Survivors also include five grandchildren, a brother and a sister. A memorial celebration will be scheduled for later in the year.

Film credits

Passion's Way (1999): Sela Ward, Timothy Dalton, Alicia Witt; Robert Allan Ackerman, Dir.

Kiss the Sky (1998), MGM: William Petersen, Gary Cole, Sheryl Lee; Roger Young, Dir.

Julian Po (1997), New Line Cinema: Christian Slater, Robin Tunney; Alan Wade, Dir.

That Old Feeling (1997), Universal: Bette Midler, Dennis Farina; Carl Reiner, Dir.

Stormchasers (1995): Greg MacGillivray, Dir.

The Grass Harp (1995), New Line Cinema: Walter Matthau, Piper Laurie, Sissy Spacek; Charles Matthau, Dir.

Big Girls Don't Cry... They Get Even (1992), New Line Cinema: Hillary Wolf, Ben Savage; Joan Micklin Silver, Dir.

The Cutting Edge (1992), MGM: D.B. Sweeney, Moira Kelly; Paul Glaser, Dir.

Cry-Baby (1990), Universal: Johnny Depp, Ricki Lake, Polly Bergen; John Waters, Dir.

In the Spirit (1990), Marlo Thomas, Elaine May; Sandra Seacat, Dir.

Worth Winning (1989), 20th Century Fox: Mark Harmon, Madeleine Stowe, Lesley Ann Warren; Will Mackenzie, Dir.

Fresh Horses (1988), Columbia: Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy; David Anspaugh, Dir.

Just Between Friends (1986), Orion: Mary Tyler Moore, Ted Danson, Christine Lahti; Allan Burns, Dir.

Violets Are Blue (1986), Columbia: Kevin Kline, Sissy Spacek; Jack Fisk, Dir.

The Slugger's Wife (1985), Columbia: Michael O'Keefe, Rebecca De Mornay; Hal Ashby, Dir.

All of Me (1984), Universal: Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin; Carl Reiner, Dir.

Best Defense (1984), Paramount: Dudley Moore, Kate Capshaw, Eddie Murphy; Willard Huyck, Dir.

The Buddy System (1984), 20th Century Fox: Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Sarandon, Wil Wheaton; Glenn Jordon, Dir.

Swing Shift (1984), Warner Bros.: Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Ed Harris; Jonathon Demme, Dir.

Marvin and Tige (1983), 20th Century Fox Classics: John Cassavetes, Billy Dee Williams; Eric Weston, Dir.

The Toy (1982), Columbia: Richard Pryor, Jackie Gleason; Richard Donner, Dir.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Universal: Dolly Parton, Burt Reynolds; Colin Higgins, Dir.

Some Kind of Hero (1982), Paramount: Richard Pryor, Margot Kidder; Michael Pressman, Dir.

Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen (1981), Peter Ustinov, Lee Grant, Angie Dickinson; Clive Donner, Dir.

How to Beat the High Co$t of Living (1980), Jessica Lange, Susan Saint James, Jane Curtin; Robert Scheer, Dir.

It's My Turn (1980), Columbia: Jill Clayburgh, Michael Douglas; Claudia Weill, Dir.

Used Cars (1980), Columbia: Kurt Russell, Jack Warden; Robert Zemeckis, Dir.

Wholly Moses (1980), Columbia: Dudley Moore, Richard Pryor, John Ritter; Gary Weis, Dir.

Hero at Large (1980), MGM: John Ritter, Anne Archer; Martin Davidson, Dir.

Breaking Away (music adaptor, 1979), 20th Century Fox: Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern; Peter Yates, Dir.

Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979), 20th Century Fox: Tom Berenger, William Katt; Richard Lester, Dir.

Cuba (1979), United Artists: Sean Connery, Brooke Adams; Richard Lester, Dir.

Hot Stuff (1979), Columbia: Dom DeLuise, Jerry Reed, Suzanne Pleshette; Dom DeLuise, Dir.

The Seniors (1978): Gary Imhoff, Jeffrey Byron, Dennis Quaid; Rodney Amateau, Dir.

Casey's Shadow (1978), Columbia: Walter Matthau; Martin Ritt, Dir.

The One and Only (1978), Paramount: Henry Winkler, Kim Darby; Carl Reiner, Dir.

The Cheap Detective (1978), Columbia: Peter Falk, Ann-Margret, Madeline Kahn; Robert Moore, Dir.

The Lives of Jenny Dolan, TV movie: Shirley Jones, Stephen Boyd; Jerry Jameson, Dir.

I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now? (1975): Bob Dishy, Joanna Barnes; Steven Hillard Stern, Dir.

Framed (1975), Paramount: Joe Don Baker, Conny Van Dyke; Phil Karlson, Dir.

Moonchild (1974): John Carradine, Victor Buono, Pat Renella ; Alan Gadney, Dir.

Hex (1973), 20th Century Fox: Keith Carradine, Tina Herazo, Hillarie Thompson; Leo Garen, Dir.

Sssssss (1973), Universal: Dirk Benedict, Strother Martin; Bernard L. Kowalski, Dir.

Hardcase (1972), Hanna-Barbera Productions, TV Movie: Clint Walker, Dir John Llewellyn Moxey

Terror in the Sky (1971), TV movie: Doug McClure, Roddy McDowall; Bernard L. Kowalski, Dir.

The Failing of Raymond (1971), TV movie: Jane Wyman, Dean Stockwell; Boris Sagal, Dir.

Evel Knievel (1971), Paramount: George Hamilton; Marvin J. Chomsky, Dir.

Macho Callahan (1970), Avco Embassy: David Janssen, Jean Seberg, Lee J. Cobb; Bernard L. Kowalski, Dir.

Don't Drink the Water (1969), Avco Embassy: Jackie Gleason, Estelle Parsons; Howard Morris, Dir.

A Nice Girl Like Me (1969), Avco Embassy: Barbara Ferris, Harry Andrews; Desmond Davis, Dir.

How Sweet It Is! (1968), National General Pictures: James Garner, Debbie Reynolds; Jerry Paris, Dir.

Television film credits

Decoration Day, James Garner, Judith Ivey, Laurence Fishburne

The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story, USA

When Angels Come To Town, CBS: Peter Falk

John Christmas, CBS: Peter Falk

Inside the Osmonds, ABC

James Patterson's 1st to Die, NBC

We Were the Mulvaneys, Lifetime: Blythe Danner, Beau Bridges

Power & Beauty, Showtime: Natasha Henstridge

Just Ask My Children, Lifetime: Virginia Madsen, Jeffrey Nordling

Blonde, CBS: Poppy Montgomery, Kirstie Alley, Ann-Margret

Yesterday's Children, CBS: Jane Seymour, Hume Cronyn

The Thin Blue Lie, Showtime: Rob Morrow, Randy Quaid, Paul Sorvino

The Three Stooges, ABC: Michael Chiklis, Paul Ben-Victor

Jesus, CBS: Jeremy Sisto, Jacqueline Bisset, Gary Oldman

Miracle on the 17th Green, CBS: Robert Urich, Meredith Baxter

Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story, CBS: Dana Delany, James Coburn, Kathy Baker

A Song From the Heart, CBS: Amy Grant, D.W. Moffatt, Keith Carradine

A Cooler Climate, Paramount: Sally Field, Judy Davis

Take My Advice: The Ann and Abby Story, Lifetime: Wendi Malick

Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke, CBS: Lauren Bacall, Richard Chamberlain

A Knight in Camelot, Disney: Whoopi Goldberg, Michael York

Passion's Way, CBS: Sela Ward, Timothy Dalton

Soloman, CBS: Ben Cross, Max von Sydow

Heart Full of Rain, CBS: Richard Crenna, Rick Schroder

After Jimmy, CBS: Meredith Baxter, Bruce Davison

Never Give Up: The Jimmy V Story, CBS: Anthony LaPaglia, Ronny Cox

Ruby Ridge: An American Tragedy, CBS: Laura Dern, Randy Quaid

A Brother's Promise: The Dan Jansen Story, Matt Keeslar, Jayne Brooke

Journey, Hallmark Hall of Fame – CBS: Jason Robards, Meg Tilly, Brenda Fricker

Tom Clancy's OP Center, CBS: Harry Hamlin

Saved by the Light, Showtime: Eric Roberts

The West Side Waltz, CBS: Liza Minnelli, Shirley MacLaine

Deadline For Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan, Meredith Baxter

Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long, TNT: John Goodman, Anne Heche

Take Me Home Again, Kirk Douglas, Craig T. Nelson

Because Mommy Works, CBS: Anne Archer, John Heard

The Gift of Love, CBS: Andy Griffith, Blair Brown

Getting Gotti, CBS: Lorraine Bracco, Anthony John Denison

The Corpse Had A Familiar Face, Elizabeth Montgomery, Dennis Farina

Accidental Meeting, Paramount: Linda Gray, Linda Purl

French Silk, Susan Lucci, Lee Horsley

Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771, CBS: Robert Loggia, Scott Bakula

Geronimo, TNT: Joseph Runningfox

Zelda, TNT: Natasha Richardson, Timothy Hutton

Murder in the Heartland, Tim Roth, Fairuza Balk

Blind Spot, Hallmark Hall of Fame – CBS: Joanne Woodward, Laura Linney

Jewels, CBS: Annette O'Toole, Anthony Andrews

In Broad Daylight, NBC: Brian Dennehy, Marcia Gay Harden

Her Hidden Truth', NBC: Kellie Martin, Antonio Sabato Jr.

 

Television series credits

This is a partial list.

 

Monk

Extreme

Black Tie Affair

Baltimore

Cutters

The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (theme and episode scores)

The Simpsons: "Simpson and Delilah"

The Slap Maxwell Story

FM

AfterMASH

Columbo

Lou Grant

The Streets of San Francisco (theme and 11 scores)

The Bob Newhart Show

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

The Tony Randall Show

The Magician

Hercules

The Music Scene