Background
Born as Lionel Breeze in London, Murray was the son of a violinist.
Born as Lionel Breeze in London, Murray was the son of a violinist.
He also attended the Juilliard School.
Before entering a career in music, Murray was a seaman. He followed that nautical occupation with a stint as a reporter with the Philadelphia Public Ledger. Murray"s initial involvement with radio came in Newport News, Virginia.
He later founded the Lyn Murray Singers, who became known throughout the United States as the featured group on Columbia Broadcasting System ’s Your Hit Parade.
In the early 1940s, Murray, his orchestra and chorus were featured on Meet the Music, "a Sunday evening feature paying weekly tribute to the modern song writers." Beginning in 1943, He led a 20-piece orchestra and 12-member singing group on To Your Good Health, broadcast three times a week on Columbia Broadcasting System radio. His other work in radio included composing for The Adventures of Ellery Queen and being choral director for Pursuit of Happiness.
He was also music conductor for Readers" Digest. Arranging choral music for This Is the Army was Murray"s first Broadway experience.
He went on to do vocal arrangements for Swingin" the Dream (1939), Panama Hattie (1940-1942), Let"s Face lieutenant! (1941-1943), and Finian"s Rainbow (1947-1948.
2009-2010). Murray lived for many years in Pacific Palisades, California, and died of cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, aged 79.