Obituary of Howard Danziger
January 3, 2021
Howard Danziger was a professional pianist, arranger, conductor and comedy writer. Mr. Danziger was the conductor at the Latin Quarter, The Royal Box, The Playboy Club and The Living Room. He arranged for such luminaries as Engelbert Humperdinck, Alexis Smith, Sylvia Syms and Brook Benton. Howard has written original music for "The Merv Griffin Show" and the feature film "The Delta Factor." He wrote and produced the long running revue "That's Entertainment" that ran at S.P.Q.R. in New York City. As a comedy writer Mr. Danziger wrote for Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, Gabe Kaplan, Henny Youngman, Dick Capri and Milton Berle. He was a writer for "The Friars Club Roasts" for 10 years. He was also a contributing writer for "Catskills on Broadway" and was the comedy writer for "Sheet Music Magazine." Over the past 40 years Howard Danziger played solo piano at the Palace Hotel, The Pierre Hotel and The Plaza Hotel. For 12 years he played solo piano at the prestigious New York Athletic Club. Mr. Danziger has written over 20 books, the last one, "88 Keys to Failure" is in its 15th printing. The first 14 were blurry. He leaves behind his loving wife Lori of 56 years, his sons Zachary and Brandon, daughter-in-law Yanette, 100 year old mother-in-law Josephine, brother Allen, and the person who made him happy 5 weeks ago, his first grandchild Alivia Na'vi.
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Dear Danziger crew,
I am so sorry to hear of Howard's passing. My mom is the late Diana Rafalow Grossman, and Howard was her cousin. I heard of Howard's passing from another cousin, Jane Cohen.
In the too many years since my mother's death, I've been only sporadically in touch with cousins on her side, but I'd like to remedy that. My partner and I live in Brooklyn, and I would love to be in touchand to get together when it's safer to do so.
My deepest condolences. May Howard's memory be for a blessing always.
Cousin Pam (pamelabethgrossman@gmail.com)
Posted by: Pamela Grossman - Brooklyn, NY - January 6, 2021
Howard was an inspiration! Know now he is well with God.
Posted by: Rex Voland - Pflugerville, - January 8, 2021
My cousin Howard ALWAYS made me laugh. I am sorry that I did not have a chance to have a Zoom call with him because I am sure that he would immediately point out the "face of the Zoom", as he inevitably did with every wedding/bar mitzvah album he saw. He had a unique
view of life qnd was an amazing humorist, pianist and teacher. May his memory be a blessing.
Posted by: Steven Young - New Rochelle, NY - January 8, 2021
Funny. Warm. Caring. Supremely talented. He was one of a handful of people I can truly say was a best fried. His books are brilliant. The letters he wrote are hysterical and insightful. Our phone conversations brought me through some very dark times. I owe him a lot for pulling me through anxiety ridded times.
The last time I was in New York Howard and I walked from his building to Wall Street. A great and invigorating. time together (Crazy fact. I grew up and lived in New York into my thirties and had never been to Wall Street.)
A brilliant musician. A fabulous comedy writer.
I will miss his greatly. I will miss his humor, his show business knowledge ( i.e. who had a nose job, who wore a toupee.}
There are few (if any other) Howard Danzigers in this world.
I love you, my brother. Keep playing that piano and writing those jokes.
RIP
Posted by: Micharl Preminger - Sherman Oaks,, - January 10, 2021
Funny. Warm. Caring. Supremely talented. He was one of a handful of people I can truly say was a best fried. His books are brilliant. The letters he wrote are hysterical and insightful. Our phone conversations brought me through some very dark times. I owe him a lot for pulling me through anxiety ridded times.
The last time I was in New York Howard and I walked from his building to Wall Street. A great and invigorating. time together (Crazy fact. I grew up and lived in New York into my thirties and had never been to Wall Street.)
A brilliant musician. A fabulous comedy writer.
I will miss his greatly. I will miss his humor, his show business knowledge ( i.e. who had a nose job, who wore a toupee.}
There are few (if any other) Howard Danzigers in this world.
I love you, my brother. Keep playing that piano and writing those jokes.
RIP
Posted by: Micharl Preminger - Sherman Oaks,, CA - January 10, 2021
I can see Howard and Lori even now, sitting across from me in their living room...being a creative team as they made magic happen. He was the inspiration behind and the talent for so many that utilized his ability and coaching to make their career. He was giving and certainly had a sense of humor. His talent was unmatched and so unique. I will treasure the songs he wrote for my husband, myself and my children. Just by talking to him and giving of your thoughts and feelings, he would make magic happen in words and music. He will be missed by so many and especially his remarkable family. He will be bring his music with him and continue to bring joy. With love always.. Shirley
Posted by: Shirley Vangeloff - Birmingham, MI - January 10, 2021
Howard was an such a great friend to my whole Vangeloff family. Him and Lori were always a staple in our New York trips and will always remember the amazing music and great jokes he would tell. New York City will never feel the same without Howard Danziger. You will be missed.
Posted by: Kyler Vangeloff - Fort Lauderdale, FL - January 11, 2021
It's sad for me to hear about Howie's passing!!!!!
We grew up in music together......he was in many ways a teacher to me,
and I can say unequivocally that without his influence, I wouldn't be what
I am today.
Having Howie in my life from age 16 on totally influenced my musical growth.
Of course his humor was part of that. Having spent a whole summer together
at Lake Tarleton in New Hampshire was one of the funniest times in my life.
I have a picture in my mind of Howie jumping into the lake in Full Tux.
Anyway, he was a hoot and making someone laugh was his first task in life.
I will really miss him.
Eddie Daniels
Posted by: Eddie Daniels - Santa Fe, - January 12, 2021
Dear Lori and Family,
Very sorry to learn online that Howard passed away two weeks ago. I had just been looking through the beautiful orchestrations that Howard did for me and my partner Dimitri Bolgar who passed away 3 years ago.
Howard wrote many orchestrations for our act.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Daniel Delmont
"Daniel and Dimitri"
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Posted by: DANIEL DELMONT - PEMBROKE PINES, FL - January 27, 2021
Greetings to the Danziger family from the New York City musicians' union Local 802, where Howard was a member since 1957. We thought you would enjoy this tribute to Howard that was published in our union magazine Allegro:
https://www.local802afm.org/allegro/articles/howard-danziger-2/
Posted by: Mikael Elsila - New York, NY - April 18, 2022
Howie was one of the first and most memorable people I met when moving to NY City in 1961. Always sporting a smile and warm thoughts and consumed with humor, music and good thoughts. His knowledge of the Great American songbook was as thorough and vast beyond comprehension. When he would proclaim that he knew every tune that was ever written it was impossible to stump him. Always a humble and pleasing disposition and one whose memory I cherish. RIP Howie
Posted by: Al Regni - Manakin Sabot, VA - Friend September 21, 2024