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American composer renowned for light orchestral music, celebrated for witty and accessible miniatures that became staples of the Boston Pops repertoire. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard graduate in music. Collaborated extensively with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Composed iconic pieces like 'Sleigh Ride' and 'The Typewriter'. Master of orchestral novelty music.

• Anderson's 'Sleigh Ride' (1948) remains one of the most-performed seasonal compositions globally, despite never mentioning Christmas in its lyrics.
• During WWII, Anderson served as Chief of Scandinavian Desk for U.S. Army Intelligence due to his fluency in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Icelandic.
• His 'The Typewriter' (1950) featured an actual typewriter as a percussion instrument, showcasing his innovative use of everyday objects in orchestration.
• Anderson's 'Blue Tango' (1951) became the first instrumental to sell over 1 million copies, topping Billboard charts for 38 weeks.
• He suffered a brain tumor in 1970 that halted his career. Died of cancer in 1975, buried at Cambridge Cemetery.