Jerome Kern

Date of Birth: January 27, 1885

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: November 11, 1945

Biography

Jerome David Kern was an influential American composer of musical theatre and popular music. Born on January 27, 1885, in New York City, Kern is considered one of the most important musical theater composers of the early 20th century. He wrote over 700 songs, including classics such as “Ol’ Man River,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” His works were featured in over 100 stage works, solidifying his legacy in the American Songbook. Kern’s career began in the early 1900s when he wrote and composed for Broadway. His breakthrough came with the musical “Show Boat” in 1927, which was revolutionary for its integration of narrative and music. Kern collaborated with many notable lyricists, including Oscar Hammerstein II, P.G. Wodehouse, and Dorothy Fields, and his music has been performed by some of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Kern passed away on November 11, 1945, in New York City, but his contributions to music and theater remain celebrated to this day.

5 Interesting Facts about Jerome Kern

1. Jerome Kern studied music in Germany before embarking on his Broadway career.

2. His musical “Show Boat” is considered one of the first musicals to feature a coherent narrative and serious themes.

3. Kern won the Academy Award for Best Original Song twice: for “The Way You Look Tonight” in 1936 and “The Last Time I Saw Paris” in 1941.

4. Kern’s songs have been recorded by legendary artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Barbra Streisand.

5. He was awarded a posthumous Grammy Trustees Award in 1986 for his contributions to the music industry.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jerome Kern

1. “The fact that the songs are not mine makes them no less dear to me.”

2. “I write music to both express and to soothe my soul.”

3. “Musical theater is a collaborative art, and each song is a piece of a larger story.”

4. “The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.”

5. “The songs of my youth have become the anthems of my life.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Jerome Kern’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, which is equivalent to approximately $14 million today when adjusted for inflation.

Children

Jerome Kern had one child, a daughter named Elizabeth Kern, born in 1917. Elizabeth Kern later became a prominent figure in the promotion of her father’s legacy.