Cy Coleman

CY COLEMAN
June 14, 1929 – November 18, 2004

The Society of Composers & Lyricists community grieves the loss of our friend and colleague, legendery composer, songwriter, jazz pianist CY COLEMAN. He died of heart failure Thursday night after attending an opening night performance and party on Broadway. Along with his many accomplishments on Broadway, he enjoyed success in motion pictures, recordings, TV and on the concert stage. His many honors included three Tony Awards, three Emmys, two Grammys, an Oscar nomination, election to the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, as well as recipient of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Johnny Mercer Award, The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers Award for Lifetime Achievement in the American Musical Theater, and most recently the Johnny Mercer Foundation Award which was presented to him this past Monday at the Rainbow Room in New York. Cy Coleman had been serving on the ASCAP Board for many years and was currently ASCAP’s Vice Chairman Writer.

http://www.ascap.com/about/board/coleman-bio.html
http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/exhibit_home_page.asp?exhibitId=6

From SCL Vice President Arthur Hamilton:
Perhaps I can provide a few personal words about Cy Coleman:
Cy was always funny and warm and working, usually writing one show while rehearsing for the opening of another one. Anytime ASCAP went to Washington to serenade legislators, Cy was the closing act. His talent was made for parties and parades and personal moments between people who never met him. It was my good fortune to feel that energy, hear those quips, and applaud his successes for 32 years. I will never stop applauding him.