With his cool tone and sophisticated arranging skills, alto saxophonist Lennie Niehaus bridged the worlds of small group jazz, big band arranging, and film scores. Initially emerging as the lead alto soloist in Stan Kenton's band, Niehaus would become one of Kenton's primary staff arrangers, working with him throughout the 1950s and '60s. He also garnered respect for his solo work, collected on albums like Lennie Niehaus, Vol. 1: The Quintets and Lennie Niehaus, Vol. 5: The Sextet. After transitioning into film work, he built a lasting partnership with former Army buddy Clint Eastwood, scoring a bevy of the actor/director's films, including the 1988 Charlie Parker biopic Bird, 1992's Unforgiven, and 2002's Blood Work. Prior to his passing in 2020, Niehaus had returned to his small group jazz roots, releasing albums like 2005's Sunday Afternoons at the Lighthouse.