Dr Samuel Grubb
Dr Samuel Grubb, who passed away recently, has been conductor of the Madras Musical Association, member of the GATT Quintet that performed at the Sydney Olympics and sung for Ilaiyaraaja. But what he will be undoubtedly remembered for is his deep voice, one that American gospel queen, Mahalia Jackson, called ‘the Bottomless Bass’
I first met Dr Samuel Grubb in 1964 when he was chosen as the bass soloist for a cantata called ‘Redemption’ which my father had composed with the legendary Richard Singh. I was still a boy singing alto in the YMCA Augumented choir then and Grubb was at least a decade older. The concert was a grand success and the stand-out performer was Grubb.