Formally trained in bass, composition and arranging,
Don Bagley made his early reputation touring and recording with
Stan Kenton from 1950-1953. He subsequently would work with
Kenton again at different times, but in 1954
Bagley began heading his own bands. He was quite busy as a session musician as well;
Bagley recorded in Los Angeles with
Nat "King" Cole,
Maynard Ferguson and
Dexter Gordon from 1950-52, then did overseas dates with
Zoot Sims,
Lars Gullin and a sextet led by
Frank Rosolino and
Ake Persson in Paris and Sweden in 1953.
Bagley worked extensively with
Kenton again and with
Les Brown between 1956 and 1967, but still found the time to record in 1957 and 1958 with bands whose rosters included at times
Jimmie Rowles,
Shelly Manne and
Phil Woods. There were also engagements with
Pete Fountain in 1959 and
Ben Webster in 1961. The lucrative world of television and films beckoned, with
Bagley doing many arrangements and compositions in the '70s and '80s, plus working from 1976-1984 for noted pop songwriter
Burt Bacharach. ~ Ron Wynn