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My Biography
LARRY BLANK
Larry received Tony Nominations for his orchestrations
on Broadway for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and WHITE CHRISTMAS
In the UK Larry did new orchestrations for FIDDLER
ON THE ROOF and CAROUSEL
Larry has done orchestrations for Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow, Michael Feinstein, Liza Minnelli and many others.
Larry has worked extensively as a conductor, composer and orchestrator/arranger in theatre, films, television and concerts.
Larry grew up in New York City and attended the High School of Performing Arts as a drama student.
After his talents as a pianist were noticed he switched to playing rehearsal piano for a variety of acts, reviews, and
ultimately off Bway, touring and Bway shows beginning at the age of 16.
With the encouragement of several mentors including Don Pippin,Rudi Bennett, Peter Howard, Jack Lee and others Larry
focused on conducting on Bway.
Larry conducted on Bway at the age of 22, when he took over as conductor for GOODTIME CHARLEY with Joel Grey and Ann Reinking.
Larry took over on several other shows as well as much conducting in summer stock. On the recommendation of Don Pippin,
Larry was hired by Michael Bennett as Music Director for the International Touring Co. of A CHORUS LINE. On the basis of that,
and Don Pippin's further recommendation, Larry was hired by Marvin Hamlisch as the original Music Director for THEYRE PLAYING
OUR SONG.
Several other musicals followed with Larry leading from the pit.
Larry worked with many great arrangers, Irwin Kostal, Ralph Burns, Phil Lang, Jonathan Tunick, Jim Tyler and Michael Gibson
and with their encouragement, was advised to study orchestration and composition. At Irwin Kostal's suggestion, Larry moved
to Los Angeles to continue his studies and to pursue more orchestration work which was abundant in film and television.
Larry has been able to switch easily between arranging and conducting and has become known for his facility in the different
styles of Broadway, Hollywood and the symphonic world as well. He has been accompanist and conductor for many popular singers
as well.
Larry has arranged and/or conducted for Michael Feinstein, Marilyn Horne, Michael Crawford, Christine Andreas, Joe Williams,
Yanni, Marvin Hamlisch, Bernadette Peters, Steve Lawrence, Vikki Carr, Pete Fountain. Elaine Stritch, Lorna Luft, Elaine Paige,
Jason Alexander, Martin Short, Georgia Brown and many others.
In his capacity as music director/arranger for various charity galas,benefits and television appearances Larry has conducted
for virtually everyone, at least once!
Larry has orchestrated/arranged two songs for the Boston Pops tribute to Jerry Herman, orchestrated a ballet for composer
Charles Fox, ZORRO for the San Francisco Ballet. Larry orchestrated/arranged LET THE EAGLE FLY, a musical about labor organizer
Cesar Chavez as well as arranging two songs for AMERICAN IDOL for American television.
UNCREDITED, Larry did the orchestrations for 8 songs for the Tony Award/Drama Desk winning orchestrations for the Broadway
production of THE PRODUCERS. That was for writer/composer, Mel Brooks and Director/Choreographer, Susan Stroman.
UNCREDITED, Larry wrote the orchestrations for 5 songs for the film CHICAGO and additional orchestrations for THOROUGHLY
MODERN MILLIE for Broadway at the request of orchestrator Doug Besterman.
Larry did new orchestrations for TOMMY TUNE/WHITE TIE AND TAILS which opened the Little Shubert Theatre in NYC.
Larry did the orchestrations and arrangements for the concept recording of Jerry Herman's musical MISS SPECTACULAR. It
is planned for production in Las Vegas in 2004. The recording is available on DRG.
At the St. Louis Muny, Larry was orchestrator for THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN, WHITE CHRISTMAS and ROMAN HOLIDAY
Larry was Music Director/Conductor for Michael Crawford's concert tours of Australia and the UK in 1999 and 2000 as well
as being conductor for PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in Los Angeles for two years.
Larry was Music Director for the SONDHEIM CELEBRATION at the Kennedy Center for SWEENEY TODD with Brian Stokes Mitchell
and Christine Baranski in 2002
He was also one of the MD's for the SONDHEIM REUNION at Avery Fisher Hall.
Larry was proud to be the musical director for Katie Couric's musical tribute to WEST SIDE STORY
It was a fund raiser for the Jay Monahan Center in NY.
The performers included Robert De Niro, Bette Midler, Tony Danza, Kevin Kline, Kelsey Grammer, Rita Moreno, Chita Rivera,
Whoopi Goldberg, Josh Groban, Jesse Martin as well
as some of the guys from "The Sopranos."
Larry was Music Director/Conductor and/or vocal arranger for 10 shows on Broadway and in Los Angeles including THEY'RE
PLAYING OUR SONG, EVITA, SUGAR BABIES, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES AND PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, TEDDY AND ALICE, ONWARD VICTORIA, COPPERFIELD,
and COLETTE.
Larry conducted the original cast recordings of SUGAR BABIES and THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG
In London Larry was arranger/orchestrator for the revival of MACK AND MABEL as well as co Music Director/Orchestrator
for WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE (Ira Gershwin Centennial). For Barry J. Mishon: THE STYNE WAY (tribute to Jule Styne),
MR. WONDERFUL (tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.), COLE PORTER CENTENNIAL, STAIRWAY TO THE STARS, MY ONE AND ONLY (in concert), THE
FLEET'S IN (tribute to the British Navy), THE TRIBUTE TO MGM, JUDY GARLAND/TRIBUTE and NIGHT OF 100 STARS. Larry was also
MD for THE INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ARTS AWARDS at the Dominion.
Larry was the conductor/arranger/orchestrator for Jerry Herman's title song for the film, BARNEY'S GREAT ADVENTURE sung
by Bernadette Peters as well as orchestrating/arranging two songs for SOUTH PARK for Marc Shaiman. Music Supervisor/Orchestrator
for Jerry Herman's MRS. SANTA CLAUS with Angela Lansbury. Arranger/orchestrator for the films WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD
HAPPEN, THE KID, KISS THE GIRLS, THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, FORGET PARIS, CITY SLICKERS II, THE NET, THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT III,
ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN 2, BOGUS, NORTH, SPEECHLESS, I'D DO ANYTHING, STUART SAVES HIS FAMILY , ALADDIN KING OF THIEVES, JUNGLE
BOOK 2 and CATS DON'T DANCE. Composer for two episodes for the television series, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT. as well as music
for SWEATING BULLETS and The Grammy's. Larry has orchestrated and arranged for 4 Academy Awards shows including parts of
the (Marc Shaiman arranged) Billy Crystal medleys.
Larry composed the music for the film THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON (for Showtime in the US) directed by Paul Sorvino. In
March 1999
Larry conducted the 20th Anniversary Production of SWEENEY TODD at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles with Kelsey Grammar
and Christine Baranski.
At Carnegie Hall, conductor for Michael Feinstein, Marvin Hamlisch and was Music Director for CARNEGIE HALL SALUTES THE
GLORIOUS MGM MUSICALS. and A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO JUDY GARLAND
Larry has guest conducted most of the orchestras in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia including:
The New York Philharmonic, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Boston Pops, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony,
San Francisco Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Houston Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony,
Calgary Symphony, The Florida Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, New Orleans Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony,
Columbus Symphony, Oklahoma City Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, The National Symphony, The Baltimore Symphony, The Buffalo Philharmonic,
San Antonio Symphony, Portland Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Norfolk Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony,Rochester Symphony,Ft.
Worth Symphony, The Toledo Symphony, The Utah Symphony, The New Jersey Symphony, Utah Symphony, San Diego Symphony. The Lansing
Symphony, Palm Beach Pops, Illinois Chamber Orchestra, Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Western Australia Symphony Orchestra
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