Charles Jaffe (1917 – August 16, 2011)[1] was an American conductor and musical director, after starting out as a violinist with the Curtis String Quartet in Philadelphia.
[2] In 1945, Jaffe moved to New York City, where he became a violinist in the NBC Symphony Orchestra under conductor Arturo Toscanini.
[3][7] He later started his own professional orchestra, the Symphony Society of Long Island, and worked as a violinist and assistant conductor for the New York City Center Ballet.
[2][8] Jaffe was nominated for the 1964 Tony Award for Best Conductor and Musical Director on the revival of West Side Story.
He also arranged music for the Metropolitan Opera, and recorded with performers including Jan Peerce, Risa Stevens, Nat King Cole, Lena Horne and Ethel Merman.