He was kept on life support until yesterday to enable organ donation.

Mr. Gurland was born in New York City. His awards included seven MAC Award nominations, the MAC/Hanson Award, a Gay and Lesbian American Music Award nomination and four Bistro Awards. One of the latter prizes recognized his first CD, released in 1999.

He performed at such venues as the Laurie Beechman Theatre, BB KINGS, The Bitter End, The Cutting Room, The Living Room, Downtime, CB's Gallery, The Metropolitan Room, Eighty-Eights, The Duplex, Don't Tell Mama, The Triad and The Gardenia.

He was also singing with the band Uptown Express, and had recently recorded a CD with them called "Take You There."

He is survived by his partner, actor Rob Maitner, his parents Evelyn and Gerry Gurland, his brother James Gurland and James' wife Leslie, and his nephew Ariel. The families of Mr. Gurland and Maitner released a statement Jan. 2, which reads, "The world today sounds a little less sweet now that David has gone on to the next part of his journey, but his essence will live on forever in the recordings he left behind and the music he has left in our hearts. David lived grandly, loved fiercely, sang beautifully and danced terribly. And that is exactly how we hope the world remembers him. What many do not know is that David was also an organ recipient, having had a double corneal transplant in the 1990’s. It is with great joy that we may help David close a profoundly beautiful circle and donate his organs so that others may have the gift of life."

Mr. Gurland was also an advocate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender issues. As such, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in his name to the Ali Forney Center for GLBT homeless youth; visit www.aliforneycenter.org.

*

Funeral services will be held Jan. 5 at 11 AM at Temple Sharey Tefilo – Israel, 432 Scotland Road, South Orange, NJ.