Paul Trueblood, Musical Director, Passes Away

Musical director and accompanist Paul Trueblood passed away on Jan. 16 in his hometown of Evansville, Ind., at the age of 76 after an illness of several months. Upon arriving in New York City, where he spent most of his life, the Northwestern University graduate began a long career in the theater as a musician, composer, arranger, and vocal coach.

Trueblood had lengthy collaborations with legendary playwright-lyricists Alan Jay Lerner and the team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green, with whom he appeared on Broadway in the 1977 revival of "A Party With Comden and Green," as well as famed Broadway and film director Joshua Logan. He toured internationally with Marianne Faithfull and appeared at the White House with Judy Kaye. Throughout his career he was a musical director and/or pianist for, among many others, Mary Martin, Elaine May and Mike Nichols, Elaine Stritch, Dorothy Loudon, Helen Gallagher, Carole King, Matthew Broderick, Julie Wilson, and Diane Keaton.

Trueblood was a master teacher at the Cabaret Symposium of the O'Neill Theater Center and the annual Cabaret Conference at Yale University. He also helped young performers prepare and perform their cabaret shows. His compositions have been performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Radio City Music Hall.

He is survived by his sister, Rosann Hoehn, and her husband, Pete; niece Vicki Hoehn; nephews Mark, Paul, and Tim Hoehn, all of Evansville; and 11 great nieces and nephews.

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.