Murray Grand | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Murray Grand |
| Born | August 27, 1919 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | March 7, 2007 (aged 87) Santa Monica, California |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, lyricist, pianist |
| Instrument | Piano |
Murray Grand (August 27, 1919 – March 7, 2007) was an American singer, songwriter, lyricist, and pianist best known for the song "Guess Who I Saw Today".[1]
Born in Philadelphia, Grand played piano as a teenager. During World War II, he served as an infantryman in U.S. Army and played piano accompaniment for USO Tour stars including Gypsy Rose Lee and Betty Grable.[1] After the war, Grand studied piano and composition at the Juilliard School and worked as a cabaret performer in New York City.[1]
In 1952, he wrote “Guess Who I Saw Today” (with lyrics by Elisse Boyd) for the Broadway musical revue New Faces of 1952.[1][2] The song has been recorded by Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, and Eydie Gorme.[3]
Grand's songs have been recorded by Peggy Lee, Eartha Kitt, Paula West, Blossom Dearie, Toni Tennille, Eydie Gorme, and Michael Feinstein.
Grand appeared in two Paul Mazursky films: The Tempest and Moscow on the Hudson.
In his later years Grand lived for a time in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he ran a pet food business and continued to perform. He died of emphysema in Santa Monica, California in 2007.[4]
- ^ a b c d "Murray Grand, 87, Relic of Cabaret Scene". The New York Sun, March 12, 2007
- ^ "NYFOS Salutes Mezzo-Sopranos in its Glorious Virtual Spring Gala". www.qonstage.com. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ Staff, Variety (March 27, 2007). "Murray Grand, 87, composer". Variety. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ Archives, L. A. Times (March 14, 2007). "Murray Grand, 87; prolific tunesmith of Broadway, clubs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 22, 2024.