Title Page | Collection Summary | Biographical/Organizational Note | Scope and Content | Arrangement
Biographical Note
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1924 February 6 | Born Samuel Luigi Nistico in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 1930s | Changed surname to Nestico |
| 1941 | Employed as a trombonist with the ABC Radio Orchestra in Pittsburgh |
| 1942 | First paid arranging jobs for WCAE radio |
| 1943-1946 | U.S. Army service, which culminated with joining the 451st Army Band at Camp Atterbury in Indiana |
| 1946 September 4 | Married Margaret D. Douthitt |
| 1950 | Graduated with Bachelor of Music degree from Duquesne University |
| 1951 | Enlisted as arranger for the U.S. Air Force Band’s jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note |
| 1954 | Became bandleader of the Airmen of Note |
| 1960s | Began arranging and composing music for educational and professional ensembles, eventually publishing approximately 600 works |
| 1963-1968 | Served as arranger and group leader in the U.S. Marine Band |
| circa 1967 | Began arranging for the Count Basie Orchestra |
| 1968 | Moved to the San Fernando Valley in California Began writing and arranging for numerous Hollywood films, television shows, advertising campaigns, and live concert productions Began working relationship with frequent collaborator Billy May writing for ABC’s The Mod Squad television show |
| 1969 | Working relationship began with Quincy Jones while writing for the film Cactus Flower |
| late 1970s | Began working with Toni Tennille after writing for The Captain and Tennille television show |
| 1981 | Recorded first studio album, Dark Orchid Established working relationship with Sarah Vaughn |
| 1983 | Awarded honorary doctorate from Duquesne University |
| 1993 | Published book, The Complete Arranger (Fenwood Music Co., Inc.) |
| 1994 | Death of Marge (Douthitt) Nestico |
| 1997 | Received Grammy nomination for collaboration with Quincy Jones and Phil Collins "Do Nothin’ Till You Hear from Me" |
| 1998-1999 | Taught at the University of Georgia |
| 2000 | Moved to Carlsbad, California |
| circa 2001 | Married Shirley Aldridge |
| 2003 | Received Grammy nominations for third album, This Is the Moment, and "Kiji Takes a Ride" |
| 2004 | Received Hall of Fame award from International Association for Jazz Education |
| 2005 | Awarded honorary doctorate from Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia |
| 2006 | Accepted as a member of the American Bandmasters Association |
| 2009 | Received Grammy nomination for studio album Fun Time |
| 2009 | Self published autobiography, The Gift of Music |
| 2010 | Received the Golden Score Award from the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers |
| 2017 | Received Grammy nomination for "Good Swing Wenceslas" Recorded final album, A Cool Breeze with Sammy Nestico |
| 2019 | Arranged music for Mandy Barnett’s album Every Star Above |
| 2021 | Died in Carlsbad, California |