Les Baxter

USA, 1950–1996

American composer and arranger (1922-1996). Ritual of the Savage (1951) set out the orchestral exotica style several years before Martin Denny popularised it, and he scored many films.

MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced Les Baxter and 1 artist Les Baxter influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Les Baxter?

• Igor Stravinsky — Baxter's exotica orchestration draws its rhythmic drive and 'primitive' colour from Stravinsky's Rite of Spring — the model behind Ritual of the Savage.
• Claude Debussy — The lush impressionist harmony of Baxter's mood music descends from Debussy — the tone-colour palette beneath the exotica.

Which artists did Les Baxter influence?

• Martin Denny — Denny's 'Quiet Village' — the exotica anthem — is a Les Baxter composition; Baxter's Ritual of the Savage created the genre Denny then popularized.