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 Kander is a famous American composer. He is best known for writing music for many popular musicals. He worked with lyricist Fred Ebb to form the songwriting team Kander and Ebb. Together, they created the music for 15 musicals.

Some of their most famous musicals include Cabaret (from 1966) and Chicago (from 1975). Both of these musicals were later made into popular movies. Kander and Ebb also wrote the well-known song "New York, New York". Their work earned them many awards and nominations, including four Tony Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Kander.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

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 love for music sparked his interest in composing when he was just 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. This early encouragement helped him see his talent for music. At age nine, he saw his first operas, Aida and Madama Butterfly. These experiences showed him how music could tell a story, which greatly influenced his future work.

John went to Westport High School and then the Pembroke Country-Day School. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps. After his service, he studied music at Oberlin College, graduating in 1951. He then continued his studies at Columbia University, earning his master's degree in 1953.

Starting a Career in Music

After finishing his studies, John Kander began working in summer theaters. He was a rehearsal pianist for the famous musical West Side Story in New York. There, he met choreographer Jerome Robbins, who suggested he compose dance music. This led him to write dance arrangements for other musicals like Gypsy in 1959.

Kander's first musical to be produced was A Family Affair in 1962. In the same year, he met Fred Ebb, who would become his long-time songwriting partner. Their first song together, "My Coloring Book," became popular. Their second song, "I Don't Care Much," was made famous by Barbra Streisand. From then on, Kander and Ebb worked as a permanent team.

Famous Musicals and Collaborations

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, 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.

One of their most famous songs is "New York, New York". Liza Minnelli sang this dramatic song in her 1977 film, New York, New York. The film's director, Martin Scorsese, and co-star Robert De Niro asked Kander and Ebb to write it.

Two of their Broadway musicals, Cabaret and Chicago, were made into successful films. The movie version of Chicago won several Academy Awards in 2002, including Best Picture. These musicals were perfect for Kander and Ebb's unique style of musical theater.

Fred Ebb passed away in 2004. John Kander continued to compose new musicals after that. His musical The Landing premiered in 2013, and Kid Victory premiered in 2015. In 2018, he wrote the music for the dance play The Beast in the Jungle. Kander also worked with Lin-Manuel Miranda on a song called "Cheering for Me Now" for Miranda's Hamildrops 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 Missouri Secretary of State.

Works by John Kander

John Kander has composed music for many different projects. Most of the lyrics for his works were written by Fred Ebb.

Musicals for the Stage

• A Family Affair (1962)
• Flora the Red Menace (1965)
• Cabaret (1966)
• 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)
• And The World Goes 'Round (1991)
• Kiss of the Spider Woman (1992)
• Steel Pier (1997)
• Fosse (1999)
• Over and Over (1999)
• The Visit (2001)
• Curtains (2006)
• All About Us (2007)
• The Scottsboro Boys (2010)
• The Landing (2013)
• Kid Victory (2015)
• The Beast in the Jungle (2018)
• New York, New York (2023)

Music for Films

Kander and Ebb also wrote songs for these movies:

• Cabaret (1972)
• Funny Lady (1975)
• Lucky Lady (1976)
• A Matter of Time (1976)
• New York, New York (1977)
• French Postcards (1979)
• Stepping Out (1991)
• Chicago (2002)

Kander also composed the full musical scores for these films:

• 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, 1985)
• I Want to Go Home (1989)
• Billy Bathgate (1991)
• Breathing Lessons (TV film, 1994)
• The Boys Next Door (TV film, 1996)

Music for Television

• Liza! (1970)
• Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back (1973) (for Frank Sinatra)
• Liza with a Z (1972)
• Gypsy in my Soul (1976) (for 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 Recognitions

John Kander has received many awards and nominations throughout his career for his amazing work in music.

Major Awards

Special Honors

See also

In Spanish: John Kander para niños