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Murray Grand

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Murray Grand
Birth nameMurray Grand
Born(1919-08-27)August 27, 1919
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 7, 2007(2007-03-07) (aged 87)
Santa Monica, California
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, lyricist, pianist
InstrumentPiano

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]

Songs

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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"

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Murray Grand, 87, Relic of Cabaret Scene". The New York Sun, March 12, 2007
  2. ^ "NYFOS Salutes Mezzo-Sopranos in its Glorious Virtual Spring Gala". www.qonstage.com. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  3. ^ Variety Staff (March 27, 2007). "Murray Grand, 87, composer". Variety. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Archives, L. A. Times (March 14, 2007). "Murray Grand, 87; prolific tunesmith of Broadway, clubs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
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