Enrico Nicola “Henry” Mancini was born on April 16, 1924, in the Little Italy neighborhood of Cleveland. He grew up near Pittsburgh, in the steel town of West Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. At the young age of 12 years old, his parents were able to afford giving young Henry private piano lessons. After graduating from high school in 1942, Mancini attended the renowned Juilliard School of Music in New York. After only one year at Juilliard he was drafted into the United States Army.

As most recruits, Mancini first served in the infantry. However, upon discovering his musical talent the Army transferred him to an Army band. Upon his discharge following the end of World War II, Mancini became a pianist and arranger for the newly re-formed Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1946. He furthered his skills in composition, harmony and orchestration during studies with skilled composers already in the music industry.