Jule Styne
Jule Styne, born Julius Kerwin Stein on December 31, 1905, in London, England, was a renowned English-American songwriter and composer. His family, of Ukrainian Jewish descent, emigrated to the United States in 1912, settling in Chicago. Styne exhibited prodigious musical talent from a young age, performing with major symphonies by the age of ten. He honed his skills in the jazz bands of 1920s Chicago and later as a vocal coach in Hollywood.
Styne's career in songwriting began with his first hit in 1926, and he eventually composed over 1,500 published songs. His collaboration with lyricist Sammy Cahn in the 1940s produced numerous hits, including the Oscar-winning "Three Coins in the Fountain." Styne's Broadway successes include scores for "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "Peter Pan," "Bells Are Ringing," "Gypsy," and "Funny Girl." His work was performed by legendary stars such as Carol Channing, Mary Martin, Judy Holliday, Ethel Merman, and Barbra Streisand.
A recipient of numerous accolades, Styne was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972, the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1981, and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1990. He passed away on September 20, 1994, in Manhattan, New York, leaving a lasting legacy in American musical theater.
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