Murray Grand
Murray Grand | |
|---|---|
| Born | Murray Grand August 27, 1919 |
| Died | March 7, 2007 (aged 87) |
| Occupations | 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] In 1956, he and Boyd wrote the lyrics for "Thursday Child".[4] He had also composed songs "Hurry" (also in collaboration with Elisse Boyd),[5] "April in Fairbanks," and "Rouge" for New Faces of 1956.[6]
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 (1982) and Moscow on the Hudson (1984).[3]
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.[7]
Songs
[edit]Songs written or co-written by Grand include:
- "Guess Who I Saw Today" (written with Elisse Boyd)
- "Casino Royale (dedicated to Ian Fleming)
- "Chicken Song" (from the musical The Chicken Inspector)
- "Gore Galore"
- "I Was Beautiful"
- "Love At An Auction"
- "Morris Was Nice"
- "Rouge"
- "The Spider And The Fly"
- "Hurry"
- "April in Fairbanks"[1]
- "Boozers and Losers" (written with Cy Coleman)
- "Thursday's Child" (written with Elisse Boyd)[1]
- "Too Old to Die Young"
- "I Always Say Hello to a Flower"
- "Everything You Want"
- "Come By Sunday"
- "I'd Rather Cha-Cha Than Eat"
- "Comment Allez-Vous"
- "Not a Moment Too Soon"
- "Bald"[8]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "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.
- 1 2 Variety Staff (March 27, 2007). "Murray Grand, 87, composer". Variety. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ↑ Library of Congress. Copyright Office. (1956). Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series. Part 5A: Published Music Jan-Dec 1956: Vol 10 No 1-2. United States Copyright Office. U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
- ↑ Library of Congress. Copyright Office. (1976). Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series. Part 5: Music July-Dec 1976: Vol 30 No 2 Sec 2 Current and Renewal Registrations. United States Copyright Office. U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
- ↑ "Murray Grand – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
- ↑ Archives, L. A. Times (March 14, 2007). "Murray Grand, 87; prolific tunesmith of Broadway, clubs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ↑ Various - Songs And Patter At The Crystal Palace - Aspen Colorado, 1972, retrieved June 28, 2025
External links
[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
- 1919 births
- 2007 deaths
- Musicians from Philadelphia
- Songwriters from Pennsylvania
- Juilliard School alumni
- American musical theatre composers
- American male musical theatre composers
- American cabaret singers
- United States Army personnel of World War II
- Deaths from emphysema
- 20th-century American singers
- 20th-century American pianists
- 20th-century American composers
- United States Army soldiers
- American male songwriters
- 20th-century American songwriters
- 20th-century American male composers
- 20th-century American male pianists