One Singular Sensation - Marvin Hamlisch

Conductors' Corner

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:

Music Director for the International Touring Co. of A CHORUS LINE.
Original Music Director for THEYRE PLAYING OUR SONG
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.
Wrote the orchestrations for 5 songs for the film CHICAGO and additional orchestrations for THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE for Broadway.
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:
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 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.
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.