Formally trained in bass, composition and arranging, Don Bagley made his early reputation touring and recording with Stan Kenton from 1950-1953. He subsequently would work with Kenton again at different times, but in 1954 Bagley began heading his own bands. He was quite busy as a session musician as well; Bagley recorded in Los Angeles with Nat "King" Cole, Maynard Ferguson and Dexter Gordon from 1950-52, then did overseas dates with Zoot Sims, Lars Gullin and a sextet led by Frank Rosolino and Ake Persson in Paris and Sweden in 1953. Bagley worked extensively with Kenton again and with Les Brown between 1956 and 1967, but still found the time to record in 1957 and 1958 with bands whose rosters included at times Jimmie Rowles, Shelly Manne and Phil Woods. There were also engagements with Pete Fountain in 1959 and Ben Webster in 1961. The lucrative world of television and films beckoned, with Bagley doing many arrangements and compositions in the '70s and '80s, plus working from 1976-1984 for noted pop songwriter Burt Bacharach.

Ron Wynn -All Music Guide