NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Steven Kurtz, President of Marquee Management passed away on December 27, 2010 of metastatic kidney cancer. Steve Kurtz was 48-years-old and he's survived by his wife Alison, two children Max and Leo, sister Susie and his parents Normand and Marjorie Kurtz.
Kurtz hailed from a three generation music business family. Steve's grandfather, Manny Kurtz, a.k.a. Mann Curtis was a prolific songwriter who worked with Duke Ellington, Jimmy Van Heusen Gilbert Becaud and Vic Mizzy among other legendary songwriters. Steve's father, Normand Kurtz, was directly involved in the careers of David Bowie, Tommy James, Rupert Holmes, The Jets and Lena Horne among others. He also produced three Broadway shows including the Tony Award winning play, The Mystery of Edwin Drood in 1986.
Steven Kurtz figured prominently in the early career of Christina Aguilera, whom he met when se was seventeen. Recognizing her innate talent, he took her on as a management client and developed and personally invested in her demo recordings.
Steve met Christina Aguilera when she was seventeen, and he instantly recognized her talent. As her manager, he developed and personally invested in her demo recordings. He also negotiated Aguilera's contract with BMG that led to her self-titled debut that sold 12 million copies worldwide and helped guide her rise into a multi-platinum, Grammy winning worldwide pop sensation.
In addition, Steve worked with #1 Billboard Dance acts Kim Sozzi, Tina Novak and Jenn Cuneta as well as modern classical performer Sasha Lazard, singer-songwriter Lou Christie and a myriad of other performers and musicians on almost every major company in the music publishing and record industry.
Over the course of his career, Steve also worked with numerous brands and entertainment companies including BMG and Mattel. He devised and executed national marketing campaigns, negotiated endorsement and sponsorship agreements for Coca Cola, Clorox, Levi's, Proctor & Gamble, Bulgari, and Sears with many of the musical talents he worked with.
The family is establishing an endowment fund in Steve's name at Dartmouth College, the school that Steve and Normand Kurtz attended. The fund will be dedicated to Steve's passion for the joy of creating music by providing support for under-graduates studying in Dartmouth's innovative Department of Music. For those interested in contributing to this endowment, please contact Normand Kurtz. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
