Les Baxter
Les Baxter (1922–1996) was an American composer, conductor, and musician who became a prominent figure in easy listening music. Beginning his career as an arranger and composer for swing ensembles, Baxter eventually cultivated a distinctive style known as exotica, which blended jazz and lounge elements with exotic instrumentation and atmospheres. Throughout his prolific career, he scored over 250 compositions for radio, television, and film, establishing himself as a versatile and influential figure in mid-century American popular music.
