Michael Marra (1952 - 23 October 2012) was a Scottish musician from Dundee. He was known as Dundee's answer to Tom Waits; aka Dundonian Randy Newman. Marra was brought up in the Lochee district of Dundee. His first public performance was at an NCR (formerly a large factory and major employer in Dundee) Christmas party in the 1950s. Although predominantly known as a songwriter, Marra worked extensively in theatre, radio and television. To most he was a solo performer touring the length and breadth of Britain, performing in arts centres, theatres, folk clubs and village halls. He opened for such diverse performers as Van Morrison, The Proclaimers, Loudon Wainwright III, Barbara Dickson and Deacon Blue. Marra played in the band Skeets Boliver in the mid '70s alongside his brother Chris Marra, drummer Brian McDermott and saxman Pete McGlone, Gus Foy and Stewart Ivins. Signed to Thunderbird at just the wrong time when punk was breaking out, they released two singles, "Streethouse Door" and "Moonlight In Jeopardy" to critical success. They also featured on a BBC program "Everyman" with a religious slant, entitled "I can't see the light." In September 2007, Marra released a CD titled Quintet featuring five songs about five musicians - Peerie Willie Johnson, Peter McGlone, Thomas Fraser, Martin Carthy and Dr. John. In November 2007, Marra appeared in a new production of The Demon Barber at Perth Theatre in Scotland where he performed all his music live on stage. Marra also created the opera Nan Garland, which was performed at Dundee Rep in 2004. In September 2010, "Michael Marra" was released on Delphian Records. It was recorded live on Tour In 2010 with Mr McFall's Chamber. Marra's children, Alice Marra and Matthew Marra, are also musicians and songwriters. They are members of the Dundee based group, The Hazey Janes.
