Hal Schaefer (22 July 1925 – 8 December 2012) was an American jazz musician and vocal coach. He coached Marilyn Monroe, Mitzi Gaynor, Judy Garland, Robert Wagner, Jane Russell and Barbra Streisand in films and musical comedy songs, and composed the film scores to The Money Trap (1965) and The Amsterdam Kill (1977). Schaefer was a pianist in Benny Carter's group including performing as a pianist in Harry James and Boyd Raeburn's jazz groups and for Peggy Lee and Billy Eckstine. During his career he helped many directors and producers such as Howard Hawks, Harold Prince and George Cukor.[1][2][3][4][5]

Schaefer was nominated by Michael Feinstein in 2009 for the Best Latin Jazz Award and also for the NEA Jazz Masters. He never left the music industry. Schaefer once performed a musical piece for Eleanor Roosevelt and sang at the United Nations's anniversary in 1955. He moved to Florida in the 1990s and continued to teach voice lessons to students until his death.[6]

Discography

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Albums

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Date Title Label
1956 The RCA Victor Jazz Workshop RCA Victor
1959 Ten Shades Of Blue United Artists Records
1976 The Extraordinary Jazz Pianist Renaissance Records
1992 Solo Duo Trio Discovery Records
2011 Brilliant! Summit Records
2015 Jazz Goes To The Movies/Showcase: Great Songs From United Artists Pictures Fresh Sound Records

References

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  1. ^ "Hal Schaefer: The Piano Man". AARP. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  2. ^ Nelson, Valerie J. (16 December 2012). "Hal Schaefer dies at 87; musician known for Marilyn Monroe liaison". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  3. ^ Schudel, Matt (18 December 2012). "Hal Schaefer, jazz piano virtuoso and onetime love of Marilyn Monroe, dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Jazz pianist who was romantically linked to Marilyn Monroe". The Tablet Magazine. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  5. ^ Weber, Bruce (12 December 2012). "Hal Schaefer, Jazz Pianist and Marilyn Monroe Friend, Dies at 87". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Hal Schaefer Official Website". Hal Schaefer. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
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