John Malveaux: William Grant Still Composed the Music for the PBS Film 'Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey'

John Malveaux of www.MusicUNTOLD.com writes:

Continuing to reflect on the absence of a Hollywood Walk of Fame STAR honoring composer William Grant Still, please note his music for Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey http://www.pbs.org/ralphbunche/filmmaking_about3.html.

Several weeks ago upon meeting a young USC graduate, violinist, and composer with focus on film and television, I mentioned William Grant Still composed themes for television's Perry Mason and Gunsmoke. Chanda Dancy expressed complete surprise. William Grant Still also attended USC. I expressed complete surprise because USC has a prominent Black Alumni Association. See http://alumnigroups.usc.edu/baa/home.shtml

Thanks

John Malveaux

Comments:
1) Yes, this is true--Ralph Bunche was a friend.  My father was a friend of his cousin, and he gave a party for him when he came to Los Angeles.  Judith Anne Still, www.williamgrantstillmusic.com.

2) To avoid any misunderstanding, William Grant Still wrote background music for scenes in both Perry Mason and Gunsmoke. The Perry Mason theme was composed by Fred Steiner, and Gunsmoke's theme was composed by Rex Koury.
JMW [John McLaughlin Williams]

3) MusicUNTOLD thanks John McLaughlin Williams for additional clarification about Gunsmoke and Perry Mason themes verses scenes.  John Malveaux www.MusicUNTOLD.com.