Hefti's "musical solution to a combined dramatic and comedic problem," Burlingame wrote in his book, "was perfect: bass guitar, low brass and percussion to create a driving rhythm, while an eight-voice chorus sings 'Batman!' in harmony with the trumpets. It was part serious, part silly: just like the series."
Hefti's "Batman" tune became a Top 40 hit -- for both the Hefti and the Marketts' versions -- and won a 1966 Grammy Award for best instrumental theme.
The son of a traveling salesman, Hefti was born Oct. 29, 1922, in Hastings, Neb. He began playing the trumpet at age 11.
His family was poor, and in high school he started playing in local bands during summer vacation to help his family financially.
Hefti began writing arrangements in high school for local bands, and some of his arrangements also were used by the Earl Hines band.
In 1941, two days before his high school graduation, Hefti was asked to tour with the Dick Barry band, which had lost some of its musicians to the military.
The short-lived job ended in New Jersey. But other band jobs followed, including playing with the Bob Astor, Charlie Barnet, Bobby Byrne, Horace Heidt and Charlie Spivak bands.
Hefti, who was classified 4-F during World War II after being hit by a car in New York and breaking his pelvis, joined Woody Herman's band in 1944.
He did the arrangements for many of the Herman band's popular recordings, including composing and arranging "The Good Earth" and "Wild Root." He also co-arranged, with Ralph Burns, "Caldonia."
In 1945, Hefti married the Herman band's lead female vocalist, Frances Wayne. They remained married until her death in 1978.
Hefti formed his own band in 1951, with his wife as lead vocalist. But after two years of touring, he returned to arranging and studio work.
As a composer and arranger for Basie in the 1950s, Hefti composed numerous tunes that were featured on various Basie albums.
That included the Grammy Award-winning album "Basie," which Hefti produced. Known as "Atomic Basie" because of the atomic explosion pictured on the cover, the album featured 11 songs composed and arranged by Hefti, including "Splanky," "Kid From Red Bank" and "Lil' Darlin," which Hefti wrote for his daughter.
"If it weren't for Neal Hefti," legendary trumpeter Miles Davis said in a 1955 interview, "the Basie band wouldn't sound as good as it does."
As head of A&R (Artists and Repertoire) at Reprise in the early '60s, Hefti arranged and conducted "Sinatra and Basie: A Historical Musical First" and "Sinatra and Swingin' Brass."
Hefti retired in 1976.
In addition to his son Paul, a music composer, Hefti is survived by a brother, Joe; a sister, Pat Wacha; and three grandchildren.
Services will be private.
Instead of flowers, Paul Hefti suggests that donations be made to Boys Town, P.O. Box 145-Memorial, Boys Town, NE 68010, or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Both Hefti's wife and daughter, Dr. Marguerita Hefti, died of cancer.
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dennis.mclellan@latimes.com
