Beloved and honored performer, educator, entrepreneur and author Murray Grodner passed away peacefully on December 22, 2022 with his wife Susan by his side. He was 100 years old.
Background
Murray graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. At age 20, Murray was assistant principal bass with the Pittsburgh Symphony under Fritz Reiner. He served as a member of the U.S. Army Orchestra during WWII, and then held principal bass positions with the Houston Symphony and the NBC Symphony under Arturo Toscanini. Murray moved his family to Bloomington, Indiana in 1955 to join the faculty of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where he was Professor of Double Bass for 31 years and earned the status of Professor Emeritus. Many of his students hold positions in major symphonies throughout the U.S. and internationally. In 1999 he received the ISB’s Special Recognition Award for Scholarship.
Founding Lemur Music
Murray also founded Lemur Musical Research, a mail order retailer focused on the double bass, and authored A Double Bassist’s Guide to Refining Performance Practices and a Comprehensive Catalog of Music, Books, Recordings, and Videos for the Double Bass. He was a frequent presenter and adjudicator at ISB conventions and competitions, and contributor to Bass World magazine.
Murray’s keen intelligence never wavered. He was active until near the end of his days, and loved travel, dining out and attending concerts. Murray is survived by his wife, Susan, his son Geoffrey and wife Lorelei Meeker, his daughter Fern Grodner, grandson Andrew Grodner and wife Cara Caddoo, stepdaughter Sandy Vilela, her husband Rick and their children, and stepson Steve Budlong, his wife Rachel and their children. Murray’s first wife, Leah Grodner predeceased him. A memorial service is planned for 2023.
Learn more about Murray Grodner:
- Murray Grodner Double Bass Scholarship (Indiana University)
- NAMM Oral History on Murray
- Murray Grodner Releases “A Double Bassist’s Guide to Refining Performance Practices” (No Treble)
- Murray Grodner’s “A double Bassist’s Guide to Refining Performance Practices” (String Emporium)
- remembering Murray Grodner (TalkBass)
