Mitchell Ayres (December 24, 1909 – September 5, 1969) was an orchestra leader, music arranger, composer and performer.

He is best known for his many years of work with Perry Como on radio, records, and television and as the musical conductor for The Hollywood Palace.

[2] Because he wanted to return to New York, Ayres left classical music for popular, accepting a job with Jimmy Carr's Orchestra.

[2] Calling themselves "Fashions in Music" and selecting the song "You Go to My Head" as their theme, the members worked on arrangements and developing their own style while waiting for their first engagement.

The original contract with the hotel called for the band to play there for four weeks; their stay turned out to be seven months long.

[8][9][10][11] Ayres and his orchestra reached the national top 5 with their version of "Make Believe Island" (1940), vocal by Mary Ann Mercer.

[23] His uncertainty caused Ayres to accept an offer to become the conductor for a new television show, The Hollywood Palace, which premiered in January 1964.

He was in the Las Vegas area working as the musical conductor for Connie Francis' show at the newly opened Landmark Hotel.