Stanley Black OBE, born Solomon Schwartz on June 14, 1913, in Whitechapel, London, was an esteemed English bandleader, composer, conductor, arranger, and pianist. Black's musical journey began at the age of seven with piano lessons, and by 12, his first classical composition was broadcast on BBC Radio. His early career in the 1930s included collaborations with American jazz icons like Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter. During World War II, Black served in the Royal Air Force, managing entertainment for servicemen and later became the conductor of the BBC Dance Orchestra, a position he held for nearly nine years.

Black was a prolific recording artist for the Decca label, known for his work in both jazz and Latin American music styles, and he received acclaim for his classical conducting. He was a prominent figure on radio, presenting his own shows and contributing to popular programs such as "Much Binding in the Marsh" and "The Goon Show." In the 1950s, he was one of the most-heard musicians on radio and was featured on Decca's first UK long-playing record release.

In the film industry, Black composed and arranged music for approximately 200 films and served as the music director at Elstree Studios. He was the principal conductor of the BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra from 1968 to 1969. Stanley Black passed away on November 27, 2002, in London, leaving behind a rich legacy in both the music and film industries.