Johnny Richards was a Mexican-born composer, arranger, and conductor who bridged Hollywood film music, big band jazz, and progressive orchestral writing. Born in Toluca, Mexico, in 1911, Richards studied composition with Arnold Schoenberg while working as Victor Young's assistant in Hollywood. He is best known for composing "Young at Heart," the 1953 song famously recorded by Frank Sinatra. Richards gained further prominence through his association with Stan Kenton, writing ambitious orchestral arrangements that pushed the boundaries of big band jazz. He also arranged for Charlie Barnet, Boyd Raeburn, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sarah Vaughan. He died in New York City in 1968.
