Throughtout the 1950s and early '60s, contemporary jazz provided the backdrop for TV private eyes like Peter Gunn, Richard Diamond and Johnny Staccato, as well as such film noir classics as Private Hell 36 and The Asphalt Jungle. Here's a sampling from some of the finest "crime jazz" of the era. For a larger view, click on the image.
Private Hell 36
Leith Stevens
College Confidential
Dean Elliott
The Wild One
Leith Stevens
Peter Gunn
Henry Mancini
Burke's Law
Herschel Burke Gilbert
Honey West
Joseph Mullendore
M-Squad
Stanley Wilson
Staccato
Elmer Bernstein
77 Sunset Strip
Warren Barker
Hawaiian Eye
Warren Barker
Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer
Skip Martin
Checkmate
Johnny Williams
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Pete Rugolo
The Untouchables
Nelson Riddle
Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer
Mickey Spillane / Stan Purdy
The Interns
Leith Stevens
I Want To Live
Johnny Mandel
Mannix
Lalo Schifrin
Shotgun Slade
Stanley Wilson
East Side, West Side
Kenyon Hopkins
Stakeout on Dope Street
Richard Markowitz
Music for a Private Eye
Ralph Marterie and his Orchestra
The Reporter
Kenyon Hopkins
The Horn Meets "The Hornet"
Al Hirt
Jazz Themes for Cops and Robbers
Leith Stevens and his Orchestra
The Yellow Canary
Kenyon Hopkins
More Peter Gunn
Soundstage All Stars
Music from
Peter Gunn
Ray Anthony