Jerome Kern was an American composer known for his significant contributions to musical theatre and popular music from 1885 to 1945.
He wrote over 700 songs and more than 100 stage works, including classics like "Ol' Man River" and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes."
Kern won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, highlighting his impact on film music.
Biography
Early Life
Jerome David Kern was born on January 27, 1885, in the United States. He emerged as one of the most significant American composers of the early 20th century, known for his contributions to musical theatre and popular music. Kern's early exposure to music laid the foundation for a prolific career that would see him create over 700 songs and more than 100 stage works.
Career
Kern's career was marked by his collaborations with some of the leading librettists and lyricists of his time, including George Grossmith Jr., Guy Bolton, and Oscar Hammerstein II. His most notable works include timeless classics such as "Ol' Man River," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." His innovative approach to musical storytelling helped shape the landscape of American musical theatre. Kern's contributions were recognized with prestigious awards, including the Grammy Trustees Award and the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Legacy
Jerome Kern passed away on November 11, 1945, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence composers and musicians today. His songs remain staples in the repertoire of musical theatre, celebrated for their emotional depth and melodic beauty. Kern's work not only defined an era but also paved the way for future generations of artists in the realm of musical theatre and popular music.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
The Bassoonist’s Songbook2026
Tracklist not collected yet.
Sally2016
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Melodic Greats2014
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Songs and Piano Music2010
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Show Boat (1993 Studio Cast)2006
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The Film Musicals Collection: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers2005
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The Ultimate Show Boat: Original Casts, Revivals, Film and Radio Productions and Significant Performances 1928-19471999
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Lost Treasures1998
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A Jerome Kern Songbook1997
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Showboat and Other Jerome Kern Classics1996
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The Jerome Kern Songbook: All the Things You Are1996
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Silver Linings: Songs By Jerome Kern1995
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Jerome Kern Songbook: A Fine Romance1994
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Show Boat1994
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Sure Thing: The Jerome Kern Songbook1994
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Treasury1993
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Adagio for Strings1992
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In London and Hollywood1992
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Sitting Pretty1990
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Overtures & Music From the Film “Swing Time”1989
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Helen Merrill sings Jerome Kern1988
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Show Boat / Annie Get Your Gun1973
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Leave It To Jane1959
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The Desert Song / Roberta1953
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The Columbia Album of Jerome Kern
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Gallery
Achievements
- Award
- Academy Award for Best Original Song
- Award
- Grammy Trustees Award
Similar artists
Archive
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Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: J. Kern, Jerome David Kern, Kern, Kern & Harbach
American composer of musical theater and popular music (1885-1945)
Jerome David Kern was an American composer of musical theatre and popular music. One of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th century, he wrote more than 700 songs, used in over 100 stage works, including such classics as "Ol' Man River", "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man", "A Fine Romance", "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", "The Song Is You", "All the Things You Are", "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Long Ago ". He collaborated with many of the leading librettists and lyricists of his era, including George Grossmith Jr., Guy Bolton, P. G. Wodehouse, Otto Harbach, Oscar Hammerstein II, Dorothy Fields, Johnny Mercer, Ira Gershwin and Yip Harburg.
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