Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

March 18, 1927 in Kansas City, MO

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

John Kander is a renowned American composer of classical music, best known for his contributions to the world of musical theater. Born on March 18, 1927, in Kansas City, Missouri, Kander grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother was a singer, so it was only natural that Kander would develop an interest in music at a young age. Kander began playing the piano when he was just six years old, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already composing his own music. He attended Oberlin College in Ohio, where he studied music theory and composition. After graduating, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. Kander's first big break came in 1962 when he was hired to write the music for the Broadway musical "A Family Affair." The show was a success, and Kander's music received critical acclaim. He went on to collaborate with lyricist Fred Ebb on a number of other musicals, including "Cabaret," "Chicago," and "Kiss of the Spider Woman." "Cabaret" premiered on Broadway in 1966 and was an instant hit. The show, set in 1930s Berlin, tells the story of a young American writer who falls in love with a cabaret performer. Kander's music for the show was a mix of jazz, pop, and classical styles, and it perfectly captured the decadent and dangerous atmosphere of pre-war Germany. The show won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was later adapted into a successful film starring Liza Minnelli. "Chicago" premiered on Broadway in 1975 and was another huge success for Kander and Ebb. The show, set in 1920s Chicago, tells the story of two women who become famous for committing murder. Kander's music for the show was a mix of jazz and vaudeville styles, and it perfectly captured the gritty and glamorous world of the Chicago underworld. The show won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has since become a beloved classic of the musical theater canon. "Kiss of the Spider Woman" premiered on Broadway in 1993 and was another critical and commercial success for Kander and Ebb. The show, based on the novel by Manuel Puig, tells the story of two men who are imprisoned together in a South American jail. Kander's music for the show was a mix of Latin and classical styles, and it perfectly captured the emotional intensity of the story. The show won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was later adapted into a successful film starring William Hurt and Raul Julia. In addition to his work in musical theater, Kander has also composed music for film and television. He wrote the score for the 1977 film "New York, New York," which starred Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro, and he has also written music for a number of television shows, including "The Cosby Show" and "The Sopranos." Throughout his career, Kander has been recognized for his contributions to the world of music. He has won numerous awards, including the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater, and he has been inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame. His music continues to be performed and celebrated around the world, and he remains one of the most influential and beloved composers of classical music in the 20th century.

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