Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.
- Actor
Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. first burst onto the national conscience as the Sinatra-and-Soul singing season six winner of NBC TV's "America's Got Talent with his incredible voice, undeniable charisma and unparalleled showmanship. And a decade later, he's still going strong.
Seeing Landau in concert is a revelation; backed by the dynamic Landau Big Band, you'll always hear swinging arrangements of Great American Songbook classics from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat 'King' Cole and many more, along with a dusting of that special Motown Magic that is sure to move your feet and make you sing along.
Landau was born into extreme poverty in the Appalachian coalfields of Logan, West Virginia. His parents split while he was in elementary school, and Landau was shipped off to Detroit in the middle of the night. He woke up in the Motor Cities notoriously gang and drug-riddled "7 Mile" neighborhood. Landau likes to say that he went from Almost Heaven to Little Baghdad overnight!
After a series of dead-end jobs, run-ins with the police and a too-soon failed marriage, Landau eventually found himself homeless and sleeping in his car. Then, his voice became his calling card.
Eventually, his one-of-a-kind voice would lead him back to West Virginia to perform for local charities and nursing homes.
At the end of his rope, Landau auditioned for NBC TV's "America's Got Talent" along with thousands of others. After months of competition, Landau emerged the winner of season 6, scoring a million dollars, a recording contract, and America's hearts.
Landau's Columbia Records debut album "That's Life" reached number one on the Billboard Jazz Charts and was followed by "Christmas Made For Two", "Landau" and his latest "Landau Live In Las Vegas" recorded during a performance at the legendary Caesar's Palace. Landau has made dozens of TV appearances including "The Today Show", "The View", CNN, "Fox and Friends", "The Talk", the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
He's performed all over the world, from China to New York City, Los Angeles to Europe where he had the honor to perform for U.S. servicemen and their families stationed there. He's sung the national anthem prior to games by the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, New York Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Nationals, and his beloved West Virginia University Mountaineers during a nationally televised homecoming game.
He's helped raise millions of dollars for charities, many in his home state of West Virginia where he serves on the Board of Directors for the Children's Home Society of West Virginia and was named "West Virginian of the Year" by the Governor's office and the state's largest newspaper.
Landau's book "From Washing Cars to Hollywood Stars" featuring his amazing story reached #1 on Amazon, his "Live in Washington DC at Bethesda Blues and Jazz" concert DVD was a best-seller and he had his first movie cameo in 2017 in the Ron James biopic "Choices".
In 2021 Landau proudly released LANDAU LIVE IN LAS VEGAS a pre-pandemic recording at Caesars Palace that includes several never-before-released tracks. Enjoy Landau's unique take on the Great American Songbook as well as classic R&B, all backed by his long-time stellar musicians in LANDAU'S LITTLE BIG BAND, with guest background vocals by former Temptations and Four Tops lead singer Theo Peoples!
Most recently Landau and his band made a special trip to the Persian Gulf metropolis of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, one of the world's most vibrant and exciting tourist destinations. They appeared courtesy of Washington, DC-based Global Ties U.S., a non-partisan, non-profit organization established in 1961 to promote excellence in citizen diplomacy.
A decade in, Landau remains humble especially during those post-show meet-n-greets. "I identify with those people who stick around to talk with me. These are down-to-earth, salt-of-the-earth folks who work hard, take care of their families and give back to their communities. They're what the best of America is all about, and I wouldn't be here without them."
But, Landau is there, because of them...with a smile on his face and a song in his heart.
Seeing Landau in concert is a revelation; backed by the dynamic Landau Big Band, you'll always hear swinging arrangements of Great American Songbook classics from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat 'King' Cole and many more, along with a dusting of that special Motown Magic that is sure to move your feet and make you sing along.
Landau was born into extreme poverty in the Appalachian coalfields of Logan, West Virginia. His parents split while he was in elementary school, and Landau was shipped off to Detroit in the middle of the night. He woke up in the Motor Cities notoriously gang and drug-riddled "7 Mile" neighborhood. Landau likes to say that he went from Almost Heaven to Little Baghdad overnight!
After a series of dead-end jobs, run-ins with the police and a too-soon failed marriage, Landau eventually found himself homeless and sleeping in his car. Then, his voice became his calling card.
Eventually, his one-of-a-kind voice would lead him back to West Virginia to perform for local charities and nursing homes.
At the end of his rope, Landau auditioned for NBC TV's "America's Got Talent" along with thousands of others. After months of competition, Landau emerged the winner of season 6, scoring a million dollars, a recording contract, and America's hearts.
Landau's Columbia Records debut album "That's Life" reached number one on the Billboard Jazz Charts and was followed by "Christmas Made For Two", "Landau" and his latest "Landau Live In Las Vegas" recorded during a performance at the legendary Caesar's Palace. Landau has made dozens of TV appearances including "The Today Show", "The View", CNN, "Fox and Friends", "The Talk", the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
He's performed all over the world, from China to New York City, Los Angeles to Europe where he had the honor to perform for U.S. servicemen and their families stationed there. He's sung the national anthem prior to games by the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, New York Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Nationals, and his beloved West Virginia University Mountaineers during a nationally televised homecoming game.
He's helped raise millions of dollars for charities, many in his home state of West Virginia where he serves on the Board of Directors for the Children's Home Society of West Virginia and was named "West Virginian of the Year" by the Governor's office and the state's largest newspaper.
Landau's book "From Washing Cars to Hollywood Stars" featuring his amazing story reached #1 on Amazon, his "Live in Washington DC at Bethesda Blues and Jazz" concert DVD was a best-seller and he had his first movie cameo in 2017 in the Ron James biopic "Choices".
In 2021 Landau proudly released LANDAU LIVE IN LAS VEGAS a pre-pandemic recording at Caesars Palace that includes several never-before-released tracks. Enjoy Landau's unique take on the Great American Songbook as well as classic R&B, all backed by his long-time stellar musicians in LANDAU'S LITTLE BIG BAND, with guest background vocals by former Temptations and Four Tops lead singer Theo Peoples!
Most recently Landau and his band made a special trip to the Persian Gulf metropolis of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, one of the world's most vibrant and exciting tourist destinations. They appeared courtesy of Washington, DC-based Global Ties U.S., a non-partisan, non-profit organization established in 1961 to promote excellence in citizen diplomacy.
A decade in, Landau remains humble especially during those post-show meet-n-greets. "I identify with those people who stick around to talk with me. These are down-to-earth, salt-of-the-earth folks who work hard, take care of their families and give back to their communities. They're what the best of America is all about, and I wouldn't be here without them."
But, Landau is there, because of them...with a smile on his face and a song in his heart.
