Stanley Black, born Solomon Schwartz on June 14, 1913, in Whitechapel, London, was a distinguished English bandleader, composer, conductor, arranger, and pianist. His parents were Polish and Romanian Jews, and he began piano lessons at the age of seven. By the age of 12, his first classical composition was broadcast on BBC Radio. His early career in the 1930s involved working with dance bands and collaborating with American jazz musicians like Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter.

During World War II, Black served in the Royal Air Force, managing entertainment for servicemen. In 1944, he became the conductor of the BBC Dance Orchestra, a position he held for nearly nine years. Black's radio work included incidental music for popular shows and conducting for comedy programs. He also hosted his own radio and television programs.

In the 1950s, Black was a prominent figure in the UK music scene, recording prolifically for the Decca label and topping Melody Maker lists. He was involved with the film industry, composing and arranging music for about 200 films and serving as music director at Elstree Studios. He conducted many major British orchestras and continued directing until the 1990s.

Stanley Black passed away on November 27, 2002, in London, leaving behind a legacy of significant contributions to music across various genres.