Composer Mort Lindsey dies at the age of 89

Mort Lindsey, the orchestra leader and composer celebrated in the US for his work with Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, has died at the age of 89.

The noted arranger died at his home in Malibu, California on Friday following a long period of ill-health.

Lindsey was musical director for Garland's performances at New York's Carnegie Hall that led to the Grammy-winning album Judy At Carnegie Hall.

An Emmy followed for Streisand's TV concert A Happening In Central Park.

Judy At Carnegie Hall, a live recording of the Wizard of Oz star's concert on 23 April 1961, spent 12 weeks at the top of the Billboard chart and went on to win four Grammy awards.

Lindsey went on to work with Liza Minnelli, Garland's daughter, on her televised Liza With A Z concert.

The New Jersey native spent 25 years as musical director for The Merv Griffin Show, earning two Emmy nominations in the process.

As a composer, his credits include Garland's 1963 film I Could Go on Singing and Albert Brooks' 1979 comedy Real Life.