Lorenzo Fuller

Lorenzo Fuller
Birth name	Lorenzo Dow Fuller Jr.
Born	(1919-03-22)March 22, 1919 Stockton, Kansas,U.S.
Died	January 8, 2011(2011-01-08)(aged 91) New York City,U.S.
Genres	Musical theater
Occupation(s)	Singer musician actor arranger
Years active	1920s–1960s

Lorenzo Dow Fuller Jr.(March 22, 1919 – January 8, 2011) was an American singer, musician, actor, and musical director. He was an original cast member ofFinian's RainbowandKiss Me, Kate,and in the radio showVan and the Geniewas the first male African-American actor to star opposite a white woman. His television showMusical Miniatureswas also the first to be fronted by a black performer.

Biography

Fuller was born inStockton, Kansas,the son of L.D. Fuller Sr. and Effie Green Fuller. His father was a successful newspaper publisher and founder of the Fuller Concert Company, which produced shows throughout theMidwestand into Canada and Mexico. By the age of eight, the younger Lorenzo Fuller had begun performing as aharpiston local radio shows, and in his family's troupe. At the age of 15, he began studying opera and classical music at theUniversity of Kansas,and while studying had a regular monthly show onKFKUradio. He was the first black performer to sing with the Kansas University symphony orchestra, becoming known as "thePaul Robesonof KU ",and on his graduation performed a solo recital for an audience of over 2000.

He moved to New York in 1945 and studied at theJuilliard School.He could sing in several languages and played many different musical instruments, quickly establishing himself in the city. In 1947, he was a member of the original Broadway cast ofFinian's Rainbow,and the following year played Paul in the first production ofKiss Me, Kate.His original performance ofCole Porter's song "Too Darn Hot",withtap dancersEddie Sledge (the father of theSledge sisters) and Fred Davis, was recorded and issued in 1949 as a78-rpmsingle.Fuller was also successful as a musicalarranger,working withGeorge Gershwinas an assistant musical director, and performer, inPorgy and Bess,and touring internationally with the show as Americancultural ambassadors.

From 1947, Fuller hosted a regular 15-minute show onNBC.He worked for them until 1952 as a musical director and special materials writer on shows such asYoung Broadway,Musical Miniatures,and theJerry LesterShow.OnMusical Miniatures,he was the first African American to have his own television show, several years beforeNat "King" Cole.He also appeared on, and won, theArthur GodfreyTalent Show.His 1950 radio show,Van and the Genieon stationWPIX,was the first in which a black man appeared on equal terms with a white woman, Rosamond Vance Kaufman. The pair marched together in theMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,behindJimmy Durante.

Fuller later became a sought-after musical coach to such Broadway performers as Jeannette Adair andJuanita Hall.He continued to perform occasionally at cultural events.A tribute to him took place in his home town of Stockton, Kansas, in 2003.

He died in New York City in 2011, aged 91.