Music arranger Torrie Zito, who provided the string orchestrations for John Lennon 's album Imagine, died on 3 December, 2009, at the age of 76.

Mr Zito had been suffering from emphysema. He died at his home in Manhattan, New York.

After starting his music career as a jazz pianist, he found lasting success as an arranger and orchestrator.

He worked with a wide range of artists including Perry Como , Frank Sinatra , Bobby Darin , Sinead O’Connor, Carly Simon, George Michael and Tony Bennett - with whom he toured for seven years during the 1960s and 70s.

He was survived by his wife, jazz singer Helen Merrill, daughter Lisa, brother - drummer Ronnie Zito - and a a stepson, Alan.