Murray Lee Brody graduated from Far Rockaway High School with the class of 1928. He is the son of Joseph Brody, noted Yiddish Theater composer, orchestrator, conductor and choirmaster and brother of Estelle Brody, star of British film and theater.

As a child Murray was always writing new lyrics for the popular songs of the day. As he grew older this expanded to poetry, playlets, plays and songs, in emulation of his father and sister. The first shows were backyard shows that he wrote and directed.

After graduating P.S. 48 in the Bronx and upon the loss of his mother, he went to live with an Aunt in the Rockaways and entered FRHS in 1924. There, his first effort as a playwright was a playlet written for the PTA titled "Tom Bennett Buys a Tag". It was well received and led to bigger and better efforts. During his years in FRHS he wrote a number of musical and non-musical shows. Most of these were performed at the Far Rockaway Jewish Center. At the rate of one for each of his years in FRHS, he wrote, book, music and lyrics for "Rah Rah Berkley," "Oh Oh Bohemia," "He Scoops to Conquer," and "Varieties." The performers in all of the shows were his Far Rockaway High School friends, many of whom are the moms and dads of many later FRHS students.

Upon graduation from FRHS he entered the business world. While his love of music and creating music never diminished, it was put on hold.

In 1945 Murray, his wife Matilda (Tillie Goldstein, FRHS class of 1929) and their two young sons went to join one of Murray's brothers in Reno, Nevada. There his musical talents once again surfaced. For many years he had a weekly radio program, featuring Murray as Master of Ceremonies and singer, along with the brightest and the best of the musicians known to the area. Each show, along with the standards of the day, featured one new song written and sung by Murray.

In 1950 the family returned to their roots in the Rockaways. Not long after returning, the Knights of Pythias, Rockaway Beach Lodge #622 asked Murray to put on a show for the benefit of the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund. With the material written over the years in Reno, it was not long before he put together a western musical, "Anything Could Happen." The show was an instant, rousing success in the Rockaways and led to no less than 6-8 other organizations putting on the same show over the next several years. Two of these organizations each did their several performances at an always sold out FRHS Auditorium.

In 1952 Murray made a connection with Charles Lowe, a noted vaudevillian and talent scout. They worked together on a TV show called "Bonnie Maid Versatile Varieties" The hostess of the show was Lady Iris Mountbatten, and was done at the old CBS Ed Sullivan Theater In New York City. Murray wrote an original 30-minute musical for each show. It was a first class family show, featuring talented young performers that ran for three years.

After the TV show run ended, Murray thought his theatrical bent was over as he concentrated on his business life. This was not to be. Murray and Matilda retired and moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 1973. It was not long before the new friends and neighbors became aware of the man in their midst. Murray was asked to organize and lead a choral group of senior citizens. They became known as the "Cresthaven Minstrels" It would be hard to describe the success Murray and the Minstrels had. They did over 500 performances for many various hospitals, nursing homes, schools, civic groups. This list is seemingly endless. Murray and the group received countless awards and accolades for their efforts. The "Murray Brody's Cresthaven Minstrels" as they became to be known, made the front page of the Metro section of the Palm Beach Post more often then any other group or person.

After losing his beloved wife Matilda in 1998, Murray moved to Jacksonville to be with his son and daughter-in-law. At present, at the age of 90 Murray is not looking for new worlds to conquer; he is truly content with the memories of what he has accomplished. However, the music and the composing are still very much a part of his daily activities. It would not be a surprise to all that know him, if once more he decides that he has had enough of retirement. 

Photo link to some of the productions

Link to some old Rockaway pictures