* Eugene L. O’Brien; Musician

Eugene L. O’Brien, a musician, arranger and music teacher who began his career during the big-band era, has died at a Panorama City hospital. He was 76.

A longtime Burbank resident, O’Brien died Wednesday of heart failure, said his daughter, Judy O’Brien of Santa Maria.

Born in Burr Oak, Kan., O’Brien toured the country singing and playing the bass in various orchestras and bands, including the Jimmy Joy Orchestra, the Meadowlarks and The Orin Tucker Band.

During World War II, O’Brien was a sergeant in the U.S. Army and played in the Third Army Dance Band.

About 1950, O’Brien came to California and played at nightclubs and hotels in Los Angeles. O’Brien also did musical arranging for several artists, including Ann-Margret, Jim Nabors and Englebert Humperdinck.

O’Brien was an original faculty member of The Learning Tree University in Chatsworth, where he had taught singing classes and helped develop the school’s music program.

He was preceded in death by his wife. In addition to his daughter, O’Brien is survived by his sons, Jeff O’Brien of Burbank and Daniel O’Brien of Studio City.

Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, followed by a 4 p.m. funeral at The Valley Funeral Home, 2121 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank, which is handling the arrangements. Burial will be private.