Todd Murray
Encyclopedia
Todd Murray is an American singer and songwriter, known most notably for his work in cabaret.
He grew up in the small rural town of Montandon, Pennsylvania and graduated from Susquehanna University
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and business, and from there went on to be involved in theater productions at the Paper Mill Playhouse with James Brennan and Judy Kaye, South Coast Repertory
, starred in NYC Off Broadway’s Gondoliers by Gilbert and Sullivan and toured in the Broadway production of The Secret Garden (which also featured future stars Douglas Sills
, James Stacy Barbour
, Audra McDonald
and Roger Bart
). From the stage, Murray moved to work in nightclub and cabaret settings and built a solid reputation as a crooner, singing jazz, swing, and American standards nationally and internationally with critical acclaim.
Murray can be heard singing “Why Not Me?” in the Sundance 2003 Special Jury Award-winning feature film “Die, Mommy, Die!” and in HBO’s “Showgirls: Glitz and Angst.” He has been a featured performer at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall, New York’s Town Hall, and the Broadway By The Year series. Murray has toured internationally, headlining his club act on Royal Viking Cruises and performed as a lead singer at Disney in Tokyo. His first cabaret show, “Let’s Face the Music,” premiered at Hollywood's famous "Cinegrill” and was named LA Weekly’s Cabaret Pick of the Week.
In 2002, Murray released his first CD, “When I Sing Low”, and was met with widely rave reviews and voted one of Talkin' Broadway’s Top Ten vocal albums of 2002. The album features a song penned by Murray, “When I Sing Low,” and a duet of “Just In Time” with jazz star Sue Raney in addition to the rich array of American standards in swing, jazz and romance.
In 2008, Murray released his second CD, “Stardust and Swing,” based on his touring show of the same name and has garnered critical acclaim. This album features two songs of his own creation, “The Girl From Waco,” and “Patricia,” both which seamlessly integrate with the classic assortment of standards this album highlights. Jazz great Marylin Maye and Broadway’s Douglas Sills lend their voices to this recording as well. “Stardust and Swing” has been nominated for the MAC Award for Best Recording of 2008.
Murray is currently performing across the country with his cabaret show, Stardust and Swing.
He grew up in the small rural town of Montandon, Pennsylvania and graduated from Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University is a liberal arts college in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, United States, north of the state capital, Harrisburg.-Academics:...
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and business, and from there went on to be involved in theater productions at the Paper Mill Playhouse with James Brennan and Judy Kaye, South Coast Repertory
South Coast Repertory
South Coast Repertory is a professional theatre company located in Costa Mesa, California.Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964 by David Emmes and Martin Benson and now under the leadership of Artistic Director Marc Masterson and Managing Director Paula Tomei, is widely...
, starred in NYC Off Broadway’s Gondoliers by Gilbert and Sullivan and toured in the Broadway production of The Secret Garden (which also featured future stars Douglas Sills
Douglas Sills
-Life and career:Born in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in the suburb of Franklin, where he was friends with both Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. Sills attended Cranbrook School, from which he graduated in 1978, and the University of Michigan where he majored in music...
, James Stacy Barbour
James Stacy Barbour
James Stacy Barbour , a.k.a. James Barbour, is a singer and Broadway actor. He graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Acting and a minor in Philosophy.- Theatre credits :...
, Audra McDonald
Audra McDonald
Audra Ann McDonald is an American actress and singer. She currently stars in the ABC television drama Private Practice as Dr. Naomi Bennett. She has appeared on the stage in both musicals and dramas, such as Ragtime and A Raisin in the Sun...
and Roger Bart
Roger Bart
Roger Bart is an American actor and singer.-Life and career:Bart was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, the son of a teacher and a chemical engineer, and grew up in Bernardsville, New Jersey. His uncle is journalist Peter Bart. He made his Broadway debut in Big River as Tom Sawyer in 1987...
). From the stage, Murray moved to work in nightclub and cabaret settings and built a solid reputation as a crooner, singing jazz, swing, and American standards nationally and internationally with critical acclaim.
Murray can be heard singing “Why Not Me?” in the Sundance 2003 Special Jury Award-winning feature film “Die, Mommy, Die!” and in HBO’s “Showgirls: Glitz and Angst.” He has been a featured performer at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall, New York’s Town Hall, and the Broadway By The Year series. Murray has toured internationally, headlining his club act on Royal Viking Cruises and performed as a lead singer at Disney in Tokyo. His first cabaret show, “Let’s Face the Music,” premiered at Hollywood's famous "Cinegrill” and was named LA Weekly’s Cabaret Pick of the Week.
In 2002, Murray released his first CD, “When I Sing Low”, and was met with widely rave reviews and voted one of Talkin' Broadway’s Top Ten vocal albums of 2002. The album features a song penned by Murray, “When I Sing Low,” and a duet of “Just In Time” with jazz star Sue Raney in addition to the rich array of American standards in swing, jazz and romance.
In 2008, Murray released his second CD, “Stardust and Swing,” based on his touring show of the same name and has garnered critical acclaim. This album features two songs of his own creation, “The Girl From Waco,” and “Patricia,” both which seamlessly integrate with the classic assortment of standards this album highlights. Jazz great Marylin Maye and Broadway’s Douglas Sills lend their voices to this recording as well. “Stardust and Swing” has been nominated for the MAC Award for Best Recording of 2008.
Murray is currently performing across the country with his cabaret show, Stardust and Swing.
External links
- http://www.toddmurray.com/