Steve Kurtz R.I.P.

STEVEN KURTZ, 48, President of Marquee Management and Christina Aguilera’s first manager, passed away on Dec. 27, 2010, from metastatic kidney cancer. Kurtz was the grandson of Manny Kurtz, aka Mann Curtis, a prolific songwriter who collaborated with Duke Ellington, Jimmy Van Heusen and Vic Mizzy, among others. His father, Normand Kurtz, worked with the likes of David Bowie, Tommy James, Rupert Holmes and Lena Horne, producing three Broadway shows, including the Tony Award-winning The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Kurtz first met Aguilera when she was 17, negotiating her deal with BMG, leading to a self-titled debut that sold 12 million copies. He also repped dance acts Kim Sozzi, Tina Novak and Jenn Cuneta, classical artist Sasha Lazard and singer/songwriter Lou Christie of “Lightning Strikes” fame. Kurtz is survived by his wife Alison, two children, Max and Leo, sister Susie and his parents Normand and Marjorie Kurtz. 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 the school’s innovative Department of Music. For those interested in contributing to this endowment, please contact Normand Kurtz at [email protected]. (1/18p)