Sid Ramin

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Sid Ramin
Born
Sidney Nathan Ramin

(1919-01-22)January 22, 1919
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedJuly 1, 2019(2019-07-01) (aged 100)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationsOrchestrator, arranger, composer
Years active1950–2019

Sidney Nathan Ramin[1] (January 22, 1919 – July 1, 2019) was an American orchestrator, arranger, and composer.

Life

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Sidney Nathan Ramin (or Sidney Norton Ramin),[2] born in 1919, was the son of Russian-born Ezra Ramin,[1] a window trimmer, and Beatrice D. (Salamoff) Ramin. He grew up in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston and became friends with the young Leonard Bernstein when he was 12 years old. Bernstein would remain a lifelong friend and mentor.[3] Ramin studied at Boston University and the New England Conservatory of Music, before joining the Army. He served for five years, mostly in France, and upon his return began studies at Columbia University with the help of the G.I. Bill.[4]

Ramin orchestrated many television, film, and theatrical productions. He also composed the theme and lyrics for "Smile, You're on Candid Camera" of the hidden camera television program Candid Camera in the 1960s. In his early years, Ramin frequently collaborated with arranger Robert Ginzler, most notably on Gypsy.[5] With Leonard Bernstein and Irwin Kostal, he co-orchestrated the music for West Side Story. He was the writer of the song "Music to Watch Girls By", first released as an instrumental single in 1967 by The Bob Crewe Generation.

Ramin married Gloria Breit, a singer and model, on January 9, 1949. They had one son, Ronald "Ron" Ramin, who also works as a composer.[6][7]

Ramin celebrated his 100th birthday on January 22, 2019 and died on July 1 of the same year.[2][8]

Awards

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Ramin won several professional awards throughout his career.

Professional works

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Television

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Film

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Theatre

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References

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  1. ^ a b Gates, Anita. "Sid Ramin, ‘West Side Story’ Orchestrator and a Composer, Dies at 100", The New York Times, July 5, 2019. Accessed April 15, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Burlingame, Jon (July 3, 2019). "Sid Ramin, Oscar-Winning Composer-Arranger, Dies at 100". Variety.com.
  3. ^ Gates, Anita (5 July 2019). "Sid Ramin, West Side Story Orchestrator and Composer, Dies at 100". New York Times. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  4. ^ Gates, Anita (5 July 2019). "Sid Ramin, 'West Side Story' Orchestrator and a Composer, Dies at 100". New York Times. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  5. ^ Teachout, Terry (2 May 2009). "Heard, but Not Seen". The Wall Street Journal.
  6. ^ Finn, Robin (27 March 2003). "Public Lives; Back on Broadway and, at 84, Lusting for a Tony". The New York Times.
  7. ^ Michael H. Perlman: Legendary Locals of Forest Hills and Rego Park. Arcadia Publishing, New York, 2015, page 77, ISBN 978-1-46710-188-2
  8. ^ "SIDNEY RAMIN Obituary - New York, NY | New York Times". Legacy.com.
  9. ^ "Daytime Emmy Awards (1983)". IMDb.com.
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