David Blumberg, the ASCAP composer, arranger and orchestrator who arranged Gloria Gaynor's #1 record "I Will Survive," has died. Blumberg struggled with lymphoma for the past year, and passed away surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, April 17, 2010.
Blumberg was Born in Blythe, CA and raised in Los Angeles. He co-scored the TV show The Spectacular World of Guinness Records and wrote music for numerous shorts, animated features, commercials and CD-ROMS throughout his career. Blumberg also wrote classical works for orchestra, string quartet, chamber groups and brass/wind ensembles.
It was as an arranger that Blumberg made his name in the music industry. He began his arranging career for the soul label Venture Records before Hal Davis brought him aboard at Motown Records. During his 11 years at Motown, Blumberg earned 14 gold albums for his arrangements on songs like Michael Jackson's "Got to Be There" and Diana Ross's "Love Hangover." Songs by Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight were also graced with his arrangements; he worked with Quincy Jones on the Body Heat album.
Blumberg's talents brought collaborations with a staggering list of artists from across the genre spectrum. Music by Wayne Shorter, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Tim Buckley, Neil Young, Bobby Womack, Patti LaBelle, James Brown, Johnny Mathis, Eric Clapton, Natalie Cole, Joe Sample, David Byrne, Peabo Bryson, Tina Turner, Patti Austin, Jerry Butler, Jimmy Smith, Andy Williams, Maxwell and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds all feature Blumberg's touch. In 1979 he arranged Gloria Gaynor's #1 record "I Will Survive," which was voted the #1 dance record of the last 20 years. More recently, Blumberg arranged three songs on Ray Charles's Grammy-winning duets record Genius Loves Company.
In film, David worked as orchestrator or arranger for Herbie Hancock on four films, including the Oscar-winning Round Midnight. He also worked on films with Quincy Jones, Elmer Bernstein, Bob Alcivar, Neil Young, Fred Karlin and Frank Stallone.
David was a member of the SCL, a Board member of ASMAC, Governor of The Recording Academy, member of ASCAP and the Professional Musicians Union.
ASCAP mourns David Blumberg. His memory will live on through his music.
More information on David Blumberg:
An Arranger's Life - Mix Magazine Article:mixonline.com/mag/audio_david_blumber
Discography: www.discogs.com/artist/David+Blumberg
