PAUL TRUEBLOOD Obituary

TRUEBLOOD--Paul. Passed peacefully on January 16, 2012. A native of Evansville, Indiana, educated at Memorial High School and Northwestern University, Paul spent most of his life in New York City. Paul Trueblood was an accomplished musician, composer, musical director, arranger and vocal coach. Upon arrival in New York City, Paul's talent was welcomed in a theatrical world and he worked with Mary Martin, Elaine May and Mike Nichols. He went on to lengthy collaborations with lyricist, Alan Jay Lerner, legendary director, Joshua Logan and the prolific partnership of Betty Comden and Adolph Green. He toured the world with Marianne Faithfull and appeared at Carnegie Hall with Michael Feinstein. Along the way, he has been musical director/pianist for Elaine Stritch, Dorothy Loudon, Helen Gallagher, Carol King, Matthew Broderick, Diane Keaton, Julie Wilson, Nancy Dussault, and Jose Ferrer, among many others notables. In October 1989, he appeared at the White House with Judy Kaye. He was a Master Teacher at the Cabaret Symposium of the O'Neill Theater Center and the annual Cabaret Conference at Yale University. Paul also helped young performers prepare and perform their cabaret shows. His compositions have been performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall and cabarets everywhere. He leaves behind his sister Rosann Hoehn and her family.Funeral Service will be Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Ziemer Funeral Home, 800 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville, IN 47714. Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial High School, 1500 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714 or St. Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47714. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 22, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for PAUL TRUEBLOOD

7 Entries

Helene taylor

January 25, 2012

I.remember when Paul played at Unity services for Eric Butterworth at Avery Fisher Hall. He accompanied Olga Butterworth in meditations and played for guest performers, many of whom lit up our Broadway stages. He was a brilliant pianist, and I was fortunate to have heard him for so many Sundays in the '90's.

January 24, 2012

Memories of Paul
It is so difficult to write about someone whom you have known for most of your professional years. I'd come for a coaching session with Paul and no matter how I sounded Paul would always exclaim, “You sound really great. What have you been doing?” Perhaps if you don't know about “actors who sing” you don't know how meaningful that comment was. It was a gift. Whereas the musical comedy world scoffed at the “actor who sang” Paul celebrated us and it made it possible to go in to those auditions with the confidence necessary when, at the audition, hearing through the door of the auditon studio, I would hear a voice that sounded like an opera singer. Paul would just pay no attention to that sound and smile at me. Then at the audition Paul was there in a way no other accompanist has ever been. While performing one forgot that the person at the piano was a part of you. If a measure was messed up the piano sounded a perfect match making the people watching think it was part of my show. At one audition the music fell off the piano and with one hand Paul picked up the flying pages while playing the accompaniment with the other hand. How is that possible you ask? I have no idea. The man was a musical genius. So much so that when I previewed my one person show in Phila a friend of my mothers, who happens to be the professor of piano at the Curtis Institute of Music and has taught and coached most of the now well-known classical pianist and musicians concertizing today, came running up to me at the conclusion of my show and said, “Where is that man? That pianist. He is brilliant! I must speak to him.” Now that is just about his musical ability.
Friendship… Well it is hard to explain an understanding, a feeling so rich, filled with fun memories, a gratefulness that Paul was always there…What will we do now? I was glad that I spoke to him one last time to tell him that we were going to do the one person show again. He seemed pleased and suggested we do it after March. Well Paul I got them to do it in October and now… Well, we can't replace you. You are missed and will continue to be for as long as memory goes on. I do love you, Catherine Wolf

Kymberli Colbourne

January 23, 2012

I had the honor to work with Paul just this past summer at the Yale International Cabaret Conference. He was a great talent and a huge encouragement and inspiration to those who worked with him. He will be greatly missed.

Bill Longtine

January 23, 2012

I will remember Paul not only for his musical artistry and talents, but also as a friend and a fun person to be with.
Bill Longtine

Corydon Erickson

January 22, 2012

What can I say Paul Trueblood was a friend, I knew him for over 20years. I enjoyed his humor and his company.I will miss him.

January 21, 2012

Rosann: Please accept my prayerful sympathies. The world is left better through Paul's artistry. He animated everywhere he went -- and he went far. God rest his soul on a brighter dawn. Bill Burleigh

Patricia Nuelle

January 21, 2012

I was in Paul's class at Memorial High School. He was always friendly with everyone and well liked by everyone in his class. Paul will truly be missed, but his contributions to the arts will always be with us. His work will live on and be remembered by all of us. You have my prayers and sympathy.

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