John Kander facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Kander
Kander in 2023
Background information
Birth name	John Harold Kander
Born	(1927-03-18) March 18, 1927 (age 98) Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Genres	Musical theatre, film, television
Occupation(s)	Composer
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1957–present
Associated acts	Kander and Ebb

John Harold Kander (born March 18, 1927) is an American composer. He is famous for his work in musical theater. He was part of a songwriting team called Kander and Ebb with lyricist Fred Ebb. Together, they wrote the music for 15 musicals. Two of their most famous musicals are Cabaret (1966) and Chicago (1975). Both of these were later made into popular movies.

Kander and Ebb also wrote the well-known song "New York, New York". This song is often called the "Theme from New York, New York". Their work earned them many awards and nominations, including Tony Awards, Academy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards.

Early Life and Education

John Kander was born on March 18, 1927, in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in a loving family that enjoyed singing around the piano. This family tradition helped him discover his love for music when he was only four years old.

When he was in second grade, John wrote his first song, a Christmas carol. His teacher liked it so much that the school choir sang it for a holiday show! Even though John is Jewish, his teacher got permission from his parents to use the song.

At age nine, John saw his first opera performances. He watched Aida and Madama Butterfly. He said these shows, with their giant performers and music telling a story, really inspired him.

John went to Westport High School and then the Pembroke Country-Day School. During World War II, he joined the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps. After his training, he sailed between San Francisco and Asia. Later, he also served in the United States Army Reserve.

John Kander studied music at Oberlin College, graduating in 1951. He then continued his studies at Columbia University, where he earned his master's degree in 1953. He learned from important music teachers there.

A Career in Music

After college, John Kander started working in summer theaters as a conductor. He also played piano for rehearsals of the famous musical West Side Story in New York. While working on West Side Story, he met choreographer Jerome Robbins. Robbins suggested that Kander write dance music for the show in 1959.

Kander's first musical that was performed was A Family Affair in 1962. He wrote it with James and William Goldman. In the same year, he met Fred Ebb through their music publisher.

Kander and Ebb: A Famous Team

John Kander and Fred Ebb quickly became a strong songwriting team. Their first song together, "My Coloring Book", became popular. Their second song, "I Don't Care Much", was made famous by Barbra Streisand.

In 1965, Kander and Ebb wrote the music for their first Broadway show, Flora the Red Menace. This musical was special because it was the Broadway debut for the famous singer and actress Liza Minnelli.

Kander and Ebb became well-known for writing songs for both Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera. They created music for musicals like Zorba, Chicago, The Rink, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. They also wrote special songs for Minnelli's live shows and TV specials, such as Liza with a Z.

Hit Musicals and Films

Two of Kander and Ebb's most successful Broadway musicals, Cabaret and Chicago, were turned into movies. The film version of Chicago won several Academy Awards in 2002, including Best Picture.

Cabaret was based on Christopher Isherwood's The Berlin Stories. Both Cabaret and Chicago were perfect for Kander and Ebb's unique style of musical theater.

John Kander also worked on other projects. He wrote music for a play by Thornton Wilder called The Skin of Our Teeth. He also continued to write new musicals even after Fred Ebb passed away.

Recent Works

Kander's musical The Landing, with lyrics by Greg Pierce, opened in 2013. It was a series of three short musicals. Another musical, Kid Victory, also with lyrics by Greg Pierce, premiered in 2015.

In 2018, Kander wrote the music for the dance play The Beast in the Jungle. He also worked with Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created Hamilton. They wrote a song called "Cheering for Me Now" for Miranda's Hamildrop series.

Personal Life

In 2010, John Kander married Albert Stephenson, a dancer and choreographer. They had been partners since 1977. John Kander's grand-nephew, Jason Kander, was once the Secretary of State for Missouri.

Works

Lyrics by Fred Ebb unless otherwise noted

Theatre

• A Family Affair (1962) – lyrics by William Goldman
• Flora the Red Menace (1965)
• Cabaret (1966)
• Go Fly a Kite (1966) – music and lyrics also by Walter Marks
• The Happy Time (1968)
• Zorba (1968)
• 70, Girls, 70 (1971)
• Chicago (1976)
• The Act (1978)
• Woman of the Year (1981)
• The Rink (1984)
• Diamonds (1984) – two songs: "Winter In New York" and "Diamonds Are Forever"
• And The World Goes 'Round (1991)
• Kiss of the Spider Woman (1992)
• Steel Pier (1997)
• Fosse (1999)
• Over and Over (1999) – working title: The Skin Of Our Teeth
• The Visit (2001)
• Curtains (2006) – additional lyrics by Kander and Rupert Holmes
• All About Us (2007 revision of Over and Over)
• The Scottsboro Boys (2010) (Additional lyrics by Kander)
• The Landing (2013) - lyrics by Greg Pierce
• Kid Victory (2015) - lyrics by Greg Pierce
• The Beast in the Jungle (2018)
• New York, New York (2023) - lyrics by Fred Ebb with additional lyrics by Lin Manuel Miranda

Film

Kander and Ebb also wrote songs for these movies:

• Cabaret (1972) – 12 songs (mostly from the musical)
• Funny Lady (1975) – 6 songs
• Lucky Lady (1976) – 2 songs
• A Matter of Time, aka Nina (1976) – 2 songs
• New York, New York (1977) – 4 songs
• French Postcards (1979) – 1 song
• Stepping Out (1991) – 1 song ("Stepping Out")
• Chicago (2002) – 15 songs (mostly from the musical, plus one new song)

Film scores

• Something for Everyone (1970)
• Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
• Still of the Night (1982)
• Blue Skies Again (1983)
• Places in the Heart (1984)
• An Early Frost (TV film, NBC, 1985)
• I Want to Go Home (1989)
• Billy Bathgate (1991)
• Breathing Lessons (TV film, CBS, 1994)
• The Boys Next Door (TV film, CBS, 1996)

Television

• Liza! (1970)
• Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back (1973) (Frank Sinatra)
• Liza with a Z (1972)
• Gypsy In My Soul (1976) (Shirley MacLaine)
• Baryshnikov on Broadway (1980)
• Liza in London (1986)
• Sam Found Out, A Triple Play (1988)
• Liza Minnelli, Live From Radio City Music Hall (1992)

Awards and Nominations

John Kander has received many awards and nominations for his musical work. Here are some of them:

Honorary Awards

These are special awards given to John Kander to honor his long and successful career:

Images for kids

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  Kander in 2023

See also

In Spanish: John Kander para niños