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Murray Grand

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American musician

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
Musical artist

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".

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. After the war, Grand studied piano and composition at the Juilliard School and worked as a cabaret performer in New York City.

In 1952, he wrote “Guess Who I Saw Today” (with lyrics by Elisse Boyd) for the Broadway musical revue New Faces of 1952. The song has been recorded by Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, and Eydie Gorme.

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.

Songs

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"
  • "Boozers and Losers" (written with Cy Coleman)
  • "Thursday's Child" (written with Elisse Boyd)
  • "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

  1. ^ "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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