Elliot Lawrence Dies At 96

 

CREDIT: nytimes.com

Emmy and Tony Award-winner, music director and conductor Elliot Lawrence has passed at the age of 96.

He passed away at New York Presbyterian Hospital. His death was confirmed by his family. 

Elliot was born Elliot Lawrence Broza in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14th, 1925 to parents Stan Lee and Esther Broza.

Esther and Stan created and produced the Horn and Hardart Children's Hour on WCAU radio and television. 

CREDIT: Mark Myers/jazzwax.com

In order to be his own person, Elliot dropped his surname Broza. He did this when he became the music director for WCAU's house band in 1945.

In the future, The Elliot Lawrence Orchestra went on to be very successful, including having their own nationally broadcast radio show on CBS, U.S tours and recording with major record companies including Decca, RCA, Vic Labels, Fantasy and Columbia.

The band went on to travel to the Soviet Union for an Ed Sullivan Show special broadcast in 1953. This is where Elliot met director Gower Champion who late asked Elliot to musical direct Bye Bye Birdie on Broadway. With this show, Elliot gained a Tony nomination for Best Conductor And Musical Director. 

He did win the Tony for the same category for his work on How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying the next year.

CREDIT: dramaticpublishing.com

After his move to Broadway, he was chosen to compose and arrange music for television in film and Network.

With that work, he gained 10 Emmy Award wins and nominations for musical direction and composition. This was thanks to his work on shows such as, As the World Turns, The Edge of Night, and The Kennedy Center Honors. 

He stayed on as musical director and conductor for The Kennedy Center for 15 years and worked on the Tony Awards telecast. He was musical director and conductor from 1967 through to 2013 when he retired.

CREDIT: peoplepill.com

He was also known for conducting television specials for huge artists.

These artists included Anita Baker, Ann-Margaret, Jack Lemmon, Patti LaBelle, Anne Bancroft, Comden and Green, Joel Grey, Dionne Warwick, and Burt Bacharach.

He also conducted eight televised Command Performances for Presidents Bush, Carter and Reagan in order to benefit Ford's Theatre situated in Washington D.C. 

CREDIT: CBS Radio

Sadly, his wife for over 30 years,  Amy Bunim Lawrence passed away before he did.

He is now survived by his children Danny, Mia, Alexandra, and Jamie, his daughter-in-law Margot Herrera, and his five grandchildren Jack, Carmen, Oliver, Rumi and Jacob.

We send all our condolences to his family and hope they are coping with the devastating news.

CREDIT: secondhandsongs.com