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 Larry
Blank is a conductor, composer, and orchestrator based in Los
Angeles, New York and London, whose career has found him working
with some of the most respected names in theatre, music, film, and
television , as well as exciting new talents. He was most recently
seen on the Grammy Awards conducting for Josh Groban and Andrea
Bocelli.
Larry is
widely known for his ability to program unique concerts in many
styles of music. His sophisticated knowledge of orchestration; his
team spirit with musicians and his quick wit and showmanship make
every concert he conducts an event long remembered. His vast work
with Broadway musicals has developed his natural talent to construct
an evening of style, rhythm with a performance arc giving the
audience the most enjoyable evening possible. No bland stand and
sing karaoke evenings for Larry; he’ll work his magic and make it
sail. His vast knowledge of musical styles and songs of all genres
support his innovative approach to programming that displays his
incomparable love of good music, performed well, which in turn
brings a very satisfied audience to their feet.
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
Larry
has had the pleasure of arranging/conducting for with the following
singers: Michael Feinstein, Marilyn Horne, Michael Crawford, Barbara
Cook, 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.
Larry
made his Broadway debut at the age of 22, when he conducted GOODTIME
CHARLEY with Joel Grey and Ann Reinking, after attending the
renowned High School of Performing Arts. Larry's career in theatre
includes the following highlights:
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Music Director for the International Touring Co. of A CHORUS
LINE.
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Original Music Director for THEYRE PLAYING OUR SONG
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Orchestrated 8 songs for the Tony Award/Drama Desk winning
orchestrations for the Broadway production of THE PRODUCERS, and
his contribution was acknowledged by orchestrator Doug Besterman
and author Mel Brooks at the Tony Awards.
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Wrote the orchestrations for 5 songs for the film CHICAGO and
additional orchestrations for THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE for
Broadway.
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Conducted the original cast recordings of SUGAR BABIES and
THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, and also orchestrated and arranged the
concept recording of Jerry Herman's new musical MISS
SPECTACULAR.
-
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.
-
Music Director for the SONDHEIM CELEBRATION at the Kennedy
Center for SWEENEY TODD with Brian Stokes Mitchell and Christine
Baranski.
-
Musical Director for Katie Couric's musical tribute to WEST SIDE
STORY. 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 cast
of The Sopranos.
-
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.
On
Broadway Larry is currently represented by his Tony nominated
orchestrations for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. He did the additional
orchestrations for LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at the Marquis Theatre in NYC.
The perennial hit show WHITE CHRISTMAS which is playing various
cities in the US for the holidays as well as an upcoming production
in the UK was orchestrated by Larry.
Larry
has also completed new orchestrations for Barbra Streisand's current
FINAL tour.
Along
with Barry Manilow, he arranged and orchestrated RAGS TO RICHES for
Barry's CD release of standards.
He is
currently represented on the London stage with his new
orchestrations for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF playing at the Savoy Theatre
as well as by THE DROWSY CHAPERONE playing in the West End.He also
orchestrated the West End Musical BEAUTIFUL AND DAMNED and was the
Music Director for Katie Couric's HOLLYWOOD HITS BROADWAY aboard the
QM2 in New York Harbor, Larry also arranged and orchestrated JOHN
BARROWMAN SWINGS COLE PORTER for the acclaimed West End and Broadway
actor, and was the arranger for opera diva Deborah Voigt's concert
with the NY Philharmonic, conducted by Don Pippin.
Larry's
work for film and television includes:
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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.
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Music Supervisor/Orchestrator for Jerry Herman's MRS. SANTA
CLAUS with Angela Lansbury.
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Arranger/orchestrator for 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, NORTH, SPEECHLESS,
I'D DO ANYTHING, ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES, JUNGLE BOOK 2
and CATS DON'T DANCE.
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Orchestrated and arranged for 4 Academy Awards shows and the
Grammy's.
Larry
was instructor for the first master class in film orchestration and
conducting in Matera, Italy. |
