Leonard George Hayton, known as Lennie Hayton, was born on February 14, 1908, in New York City, and passed away on April 24, 1971, in Palm Springs, California. He was an influential American musician, composer, conductor, and arranger. Hayton's career spanned from 1928 to 1970, during which he became known for his distinctive style, often marked by his trademark captain's hat worn at a rakish angle.

Hayton's early interest in music was nurtured by his family's appreciation for concert hall performances, despite their initial dislike for jazz. He began his professional journey as a pianist with the Broadway Hotel Orchestra of Cass Hagen. His talent soon caught the attention of Paul Whiteman, leading to his role as second pianist and part-time arranger in Whiteman's orchestra, where he collaborated with notable musicians such as Frankie Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke.

In the 1930s, Hayton became closely associated with Bing Crosby, serving as the musical director for Crosby's radio shows and film projects, including "Going Hollywood." This collaboration marked the beginning of Hayton's significant contributions to Hollywood's music scene, particularly with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), where he served as a musical director from 1940 to 1953.

Hayton's personal life included a notable marriage to singer Lena Horne in 1947, making them one of the first biracial couples in Hollywood. The marriage lasted until his death in 1971. Throughout his career, Hayton composed popular instrumental pieces like "Flying Fingers" and contributed to the scores of iconic films such as "Singin' in the Rain" and "Hello, Dolly!" His work earned him two Academy Awards for Best Score.

Lennie Hayton's legacy as a versatile and skilled musician continues to be celebrated, with his contributions to both jazz and film music remaining influential.