Wednesday, April 30, 2008

R.I.P.: Donald Kahn

Donald Kahn, composer, passed away on April 11, 2008. He was 89 years old.
The son of the great Gus Kahn, who wrote many standards, Donald composed the hit "A Beautiful Friendship," with Stanley Styne. That song received dozens of recodings, and one of my favorites is by singer Esther Phillips for Kudu, although the most famous are the ones by Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Jack Jones, Duke Ellington, Shirley Horn, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson and Nat "King" Cole.
Around 50 years ago, Donald Kahn arranged the "Yes, Sir! That's My Baby!" album, with tunes written by his father, with vocals by his wife, Lois.
Complete bio:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=DONALDKAHN&sql=11:wifpxqtjldje~T1

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