Ted Fio Rito
1900–1971 (age 71)
Bandleader/Composer
Biography
Ted Fio Rito (1900–1971) led orchestras that filled ballrooms and airwaves with swinging rhythms, composing tunes that invited listeners to dance and to dream. His charismatic presence on the bandstand and his dedication to arranging imaginative scores earned him admiration from musicians and audiences alike.
Even as the big band era evolved, he remained a supportive mentor to younger artists, and his final resting place at San Fernando Mission Cemetery keeps him close to the musical tradition he helped sustain.