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| Extended Bio Curvie McMurray is an accomplished Musician, Composer, Arranger, Songsmith, and Performer. Graduating as a Classical Piano Major with Degrees in both Music Education and Music Therapy. Curvie has directed successful revivals of Oklahoma, Gypsy, Little Shop of Horrors, and Pippin, along with numerous Cabaret Shows. He has also worked as the Rehearsal Pianist/Accompanist for the prestigious New York Gilbert & Sullivan Society. He has performed his music throughout the United States and Europe for the last 18 years. He is currently appearing as Musical Director for the "New" Original Musical Production of "Balancing Act" and is preparing for its Off-Broadway Debut in early 2007. Curvies roots are in Bayonne, New Jersey, where music was introduced to him right from the start. "My father loved music! He fancied himself a singer, and encouraged me, my brother, and my two sisters, to sing." "He thought we could be a family singing group, and even named us 'The McMurray Four'; since we loved The Jackson Five." By the age of nine, he was constantly listening to all kinds of music. "I loved American Bandstand, and Hee-Haw; I was crazy about Roy Clark and Minnie Pearl. My father didn't quite get the Hee-Haw thing, but, introduced me to records of Sam Cooke, The Platters, George Jones, and Dinah Washington." When Curvie first knew he wanted to study music, was when he first heard a song by Barry Manilow, called "Sweetwater Jones", and "Blueberry Hill" by Fats Domino. "I just loved the way the piano sounded. It was really exciting for me, and I knew I wanted to play." He begged his mother for piano lessons, and a few years later for his sixteenth birthday, his mother surprised him with one months' worth of lessons at the 'Edfor's School of Music' in Bayonne. "It was more than she could afford, but by then, she knew how important it was to me. It was all I ever talked about." "My first piano teachers name was Susie; she was the wife of the owner, named Eddie O'Rourke. I mention him because since that first meeting, I was fascinated by him. Besides teaching and running his music school, what he also did for a living was work as an Elvis Impersonator, I mean he looked just like Elvis. I had never met anyone in my life like that before. I would stare at him every time I saw him. I had never seen anyone who everyday of his life, he was Elvis. I loved that!!!" Though he wasn't able to practice much, Curvie learned quickly. "We didn't have a piano, so once a week I would ride a couple of buses into downtown Jersey City to my grandmothers' house to practice on her piano. Can you imagine, I got to practice only one hour a week, and actually, I did pretty well." He auditioned for college as a Piano Major and got accepted. "I was absolutely shocked! I didn't play very well, nor did I know the correct repertoire required. But timing is a funny thing; my piano teacher Susie, who helped me prepare for this audition, wrote a letter of recommendation for me. When I handed it to the lady I auditioned for, she just happened to be my piano teachers, piano professor in college, and recognized Susie's name. I truly believe that letter got me into the Music Department. Thanks Susie!!!!" Curvie flourished at Music School; soaking up every little detail he could about every instrument he could get his hands on. He studied guitar, violin, clarinet, orchestral conducting, vocal/orchestral arranging, besides accompanying every vocal and instrumental major who needed a pianist; while working nights and weekends at any and every piano gig he could find to pay for his education and expenses. He played quite a few years of steady gigs at a Piano-Bar in Manhattan as well as in his home town of Bayonne. He also played on the school tennis team in the 1st singles spot, and finishing undefeated his first year. His tennis skills would come to continually positively affect and influence his life. He began volunteering as a Music Therapist for a Hospice Program at the JFK Medical Center in Metuchen, N.J. "Mrs. James, my College Piano Professor asked me to substitute for her at this hospital, playing for seniors. I have such great respect for her that, for her to consider me for this, meant a lot to me. What I didn't know was how deeply it was going to affect me. I learned so much that night. I learned that this is the population of people I relate to the most, that I belong with, and I loved all the same music that excited them. So I took the volunteer training course they offered, and have worked with geriatrics ever since. Thank You Mrs. James!!!" While attending school, he took his first paying job as a Music Therapist at a nearby nursing home. "One of my music professors, Dr. George Hansler, who to this day is probably my biggest FAN and supporter, told me of an ad he saw about a nursing home that was looking for a piano player, part-time. When I went for the interview, the Activities Director had me play a few things on the piano, then asked me if I knew how to write charts; so I said of course I can write charts. Well I thought he meant musical charts, but he was referring to medical charts. We shook hands; the next day he called me and offered me the position as a part-time music therapist. I accepted. Well, he found out rather quickly that I had no clue what a medical chart was. We had a good laugh about it, and I learned, and I'm still doing it to this day. Thank You Doc!!!" Even though he was studying for a teaching degree, the daily experiences at the nursing home was shaping and directing his future toward the type of work he believes he was meant to do; the type of lives and people he was meant to be exposed to, and they exposed to him. When he finished school, he tried his hand at teaching school, but nothing was a rewarding as being in the nursing homes, performing nightly at piano-bars, community theaters, cabaret clubs, an accompanist for 'cat-call' auditions, and any gig that would put him near a piano. He continues to travel all over the world, playing any piano he can find, and performing for anyone who will listen. One of his latest ventures is musically directing a new original Broadway Musical called "Balancing Act" that he has been touring around the USA. "Balancing Act" is such an incredible story and musical! I can say that because I didn't write it! It is the true life story of its star, Wambui Bahati; who chronicles her life with mental illness. The show is not sad, it's not heavy, it is a comically inspiring success story that everyone who sees it will not be able to walk away from without being deeply touched, and changed forever, for having experienced this wonder of a human being." Balancing Act is currently at the stage of searching for an Off-Broadway theatre in New York to call home; but look for its continually scheduled dates around the country in the meantime. Another venture of his, is the production and release of a new CD featuring him singing his favorite "Curvie Songs" due to be released in 2006, accompanied by a small promotional concert tour. "I've still got more chapters left in my life to experience and write, so I invite you to come along for what I think is a pretty fun ride. Thanks!!!" |