Charles H. Sagle

Charles H. “Chuck” Sagle died peacefully April 13, 2015, from complications following a stroke. Chuck is survived by his wife and love of his life, Sarah Stein. He is also survived by his sons, Jacob Sagle of Nashville and Christopher (Clara) Sagle of Los Angeles, and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Helen Sagle, and a younger brother, James.

Chuck was born July 28, 1927, in Aurora, Illinois. He showed an early aptitude for music, excelling at keyboard and trumpet in high school. He entered the University of Illinois at age 16, where he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity and became director of its chorale. His college career was interrupted in 1944 by World War II. He toured the Pacific with the Navy as a musical arranger, trumpet player, and bandleader. When the war ended, he returned to the University of Illinois, where he completed studies in music and advertising and graduated in 1950.

Chuck joined the Artists & Repertoire (A&R) department of Mercury Records, first in Chicago and later in New York City, where he produced Joni James and the Del Vikings. As musical director of the New York publishing firm Aldon Music, he worked with songwriters Carole King and Neil Sedaka. As an arranger and conductor, he appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Tonight Show.” He later held an A&R position at Epic Records in New York. He was associated with acts including the Hi-Los, The Crew Cuts, The Platters, Bobby Darin, Gene Pitney, and the Lennon Sisters.

In the 1960s, he moved to Los Angeles to serve as musical director for Reprise Records, where he produced and arranged for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ethel Merman, and Sammy Davis Jr. His greatest musical passion was always Big Band music, exemplified in his best-known instrumental album, “Splendor in the Brass.”

Chuck developed a love for Nashville when he visited in the 1960s to record with the area’s great musicians. After moving to the city in 1972, he arranged for ABC-Dot, Sugartree Records, Starday-King Records, the Jack Daniels Silver Cornet Band, and the Establishment Orchestra.

Chuck developed a second career in the late 1970s when he returned to college to study computer programming. He worked in this capacity for ten years, retiring at age 67.

He became a father again at age 68, retiring to stay home with his son, Jacob.

Chuck pursued many interests with diligence and intensity. He loved photography and read voraciously, especially biography, history, and science fiction. He enjoyed bridge and Scrabble. He taught a class on Jewish music at West End Synagogue and composed a musical for the synagogue choir. In 2008, at age 81, he arranged and conducted a concert in celebration of his son Jacob’s bar mitzvah at Sherith Israel Congregation

A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 16, at 9:30 a.m. at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs, 201 21st Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37203, with Rabbi Saul Strosberg officiating. Visitation with the family will begin a half-hour before the services. Burial will take place at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sherith Israel Congregation, 3600 West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37205; to Disabled Veterans of America; or the donor’s charity of choice.