Aminadav Aloni

By RASHONDA BARTNEY

Aminadav "Ami" Aloni, a celebrated pianist and composer who also served as musical director in film and television, died Aug. 9 of natural causes at his home in Sherman Oaks. He was 71.

The Israel-born Aloni traveled to the U.S. at the age of 18 and studied at the Julliard School of Music. In the 1950s, he moved on to Hollywood, where he won the Brooklyn Academy of Music Teacher's Competition and recorded an album of popular tunes for Liberty Records. He became a composer and musical director for several TV programs, including numerous World Vision and St. Jude Hospital telethons.

His work also included "The Great Waldo Pepper," the series "Roots," the film "FTA" with Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland, and an assist with the writing of the theme of "Exodus."

Aloni was one of the world's most prolific Jewish composers, encompassing more than 100 commissioned compositions that are performed in synagogues and concert halls around the world.

He is survived by his wife, Nicole, two sons and a daughter.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Aminadav Aloni Music Foundation, c/o the Jewish Music Commission, 13351-D, Riverside Drive, Box 630, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.