Obituary of Clement L. Moorman

MOORMAN – Clement (Clem) Leroy Talented, funny, charming, generous and kind 101-year old Newark native - EQUITY-SAG-AFTRA actor, singer, composer, pianist and recording artist who performed professionally until last year - died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 21 following a brief illness. The youngest of 13, Clem was born on March 20, 1916. He always credited his professional success to his loving but stern mother Louise, who insisted he practice piano daily, and to his sister Hazel, who gave him lessons. His professional music career started at age 13 when he was pianist for the Sunday School of Newark’s Thirteenth Avenue Presbyterian Church. At age 22 he was part of Johnny Jackson’s Society Orchestra, playing at the prestigious Terrace Ballroom at Newark Symphony Hall. He created the house band, The Piccadilly Pipers, for the Piccadilly Club, a notable venue of the Newark jazz scene. His bands, under different names, performed throughout the country, including at clubs in Las Vegas, Miami Beach, Atlantic City and Puerto Rico. Through the ‘40s and ‘50s, Clem and his bands recorded for the Savoy, Apollo, Decca, and Columbia Record labels. His record “Don’t Stop Now” under the band name Bunny Banks Trio was Number One for 5 weeks on the Harlem Hit Parade. Clem was Saloon Singer and music director for the national tour of the Broadway Musical “Blues in the Night” with Della Reese and later Eartha Kitt. (A scheduled performance in Buffalo was sidelined by a snowstorm, where Reese and Moorman turned the booking into a 4-day party for cast, musicians and crew.) Clem also was the musical conductor and pianist in “Ain’t Misbehavin” at the Pioneer Theater in Salt Lake City. In Maine and Texas, Clem and Paula Newsome costarred in the two-person play Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill about the last days in the life of Billie Holliday. During the Texas run, Clem was named Honorary Citizen of Austin. He made radio and TV appearances on the Johnny Carson Show, the David Frost show, America’s Most Wanted, Chris Rock’s HBO show, Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts, and the Robert Q. Lewis and Gary Moore variety series. He made several cabaret and TV appearances with his daughter Melba Moore, Tony award winner and 4-time Grammy nominee. He was the figure model in a display at the MLK Historic site in Atlanta. Clem filmed national commercials including Budweiser, Benson & Hedges, Oppenheimer, and Jackson Hewitt, and his distinctive voice could be heard in many voice-overs. Feature film appearances included “Down to Earth” starring Chris Rock, “Bringing out the Dead,” directed by Martin Scorsese, “Loose Cannons” starring Gene Hackman, “Legal Eagles” starring Robert Redford and “Trading Places” starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd. From age 70 through his late 90s - when most folks are retired - Clem was pianist in residence at six upscale NJ restaurants and was organist and choir director at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montclair. He composed, arranged music, performed vocal and instrumental duets, and worked with the Sunday School and adult choirs at First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford, NJ until after his 101st birthday. At his last birthday reception Clem played a piano-organ duet of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands,” which he arranged for choir and piano. Elegant, sartorial, deeply spiritual, and a consummate gentleman, Clem will be remembered for his quick wit, hearty laughter and smiling eyes. He had a kind spirit and was full of life right until the end – or as he believed, until the next thing. Clem is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years Kristin B. Moorman and his much loved children and stepchildren: Clementine Bettis, Melba Moore, Elliott Moorman, Gerard Moorman, Kathy Romano (Gary), Randy Bigness (Kate Ulichny), and Kerry Martin (Paul). He is predeceased by his son Dennis. Moorman is also loved by a large family of grandchildren and great grandchildren. And it’s safe to say he is adored by thousands of friends and fans. A celebration of Clem’s wonderful life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford, 1 East Passaic Avenue, on Saturday, July 29 at 1:00 pm. Donations in Clem’s memory may be made to the music fund of the Rutherford church.