Hollywood Bowl Kicks Off Summer Season Celebrating Henry Mancini

News Summary

The Hollywood Bowl launches its summer season with a concert honoring composer Henry Mancini’s 100th birthday on May 22. The event, featuring the Scott Dunn Orchestra, showcases Mancini’s iconic film scores and will be the first of a series exploring Hollywood film music. Following this tribute, additional concerts will be held throughout the summer, focusing on various themes in film scoring. Attendees can also expect a separate tribute concert and album release celebrating Mancini’s influential work.

Los Angeles – The Hollywood Bowl officially launches its summer season with a celebratory concert honoring the 100th birthday of renowned film composer Henry Mancini on May 22 at 7:30 p.m. This concert, titled “Henry Mancini at 100 – A Celebration of the Man and His Music,” will feature the Scott Dunn Orchestra and serves as the first in a series of four concerts that delve into the evolution and impact of Hollywood film music.

The concert highlights Mancini’s pioneering contributions to film scoring, showcasing his work as a pianist and arranger for the Glenn Miller Band, and his tenure as a staff composer at Universal Pictures. The evening is curated and conducted by Scott Dunn, who shares a passion for film music and is dedicated to illuminating the contributions of celebrated film composers.

The program includes jazz-infused scores from Mancini’s iconic films such as “Touch of Evil,” “Peter Gunn,” “Mr. Lucky,” “The Pink Panther,” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Attendance at this concert provides not only a tribute to Mancini but also introduces audiences to the critical role that film scoring plays in cultural storytelling.

Subsequent Concerts in the Series

Following the Mancini tribute, the concert series will continue with three additional performances. These include:

• “Hollywood Modernists” on November 22
• “Monsters, Murders, Spies and Space” on January 17, 2026
• “From Hell to Hollywood” on May 30, 2026

All concerts will take place at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd. For tickets and further information, individuals can call (310) 746-4000 or visit the wallis.org website.

Tribute Concert and Album

A separate tribute concert featuring famous artists such as Michael Bublé, Cynthia Erivo, Dave Koz, and Mancini’s daughter, Monica Mancini, will take place at the Hollywood Bowl on June 23. This concert will celebrate some of Mancini’s most recognizable compositions, including “Moon River,” and will also feature the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra under the direction of Thomas Wilkins.

Additionally, a tribute album entitled “The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions – Henry Has Company” has been released, showcasing contributions from artists including Lizzo, Stevie Wonder, and John Williams. This compilation aims to further honor Mancini’s legacy and influence on the music industry.

Personal Reflection and Additional Events

Among the highlights of the tribute, Monica Mancini has expressed that the song “Two for the Road” holds special significance for her, as it was a beloved piece for her parents. In addition to these concerts, the Grammy Museum will also host events to celebrate Mancini’s centenary, featuring performances by Dave Koz and Monica Mancini, alongside a panel Q&A involving family members.

As the Hollywood Bowl begins its summer season, the tribute to Henry Mancini not only marks a milestone in recognizing a legendary composer but also reinforces the vital role of music in enhancing cinematic experiences.

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HERE Resources

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Additional Resources

• Broadway World: Henry Mancini at 100
• Billboard: Henry Mancini Centennial Concert Highlights
• Variety: Henry Mancini Tribute Concert
• Los Angeles Times: Celebrating Henry Mancini
• uDiscover Music: Henry Mancini and the Pink Panther
• Wikipedia: Henry Mancini
• Google Search: Henry Mancini
• Google Scholar: Henry Mancini
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Henry Mancini
• Google News: Henry Mancini