Kenneth Ascher (born October 26, 1944) is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, composer, and arranger. Widely recognized for his versatility and extensive contributions to jazz, popular music, and film scores, Ascher has worked with a multitude of iconic artists and is notably known for co-writing "The Rainbow Connection" from The Muppet Movie.
Early Life and Education
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ascher was raised in New York City, where he developed an early passion for music. He pursued formal musical education at the Eastman School of Music and later at the Mannes College of Music, honing his skills in piano and composition.Career
Ascher's career spans several decades, marked by his exceptional talent as a session musician, arranger, and composer across various genres.Jazz and Popular Music
Beginning his professional career in the vibrant New York music scene, Ascher quickly became an in-demand session pianist. His distinctive playing style, blending jazz sensibilities with pop and rock influences, led him to collaborate with an impressive array of artists. He contributed to seminal recordings by:- John Lennon: Featured prominently on albums such as Mind Games and Walls and Bridges, including the hit "Whatever Gets You thru the Night".
- Paul Simon: Played on the Grammy-winning album Still Crazy After All These Years.
- Frank Sinatra
- Aretha Franklin
- Diana Ross
- B.B. King
- The Band: Contributed to Northern Lights – Southern Cross.
- Woody Herman
- Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra
His work as a jazz musician includes performances and recordings with leading big bands and jazz ensembles, showcasing his harmonic sophistication and improvisational prowess.
Film and Television Scoring
Ascher is particularly celebrated for his contributions to film music. His most famous work is the co-composition of "The Rainbow Connection" with lyricist Paul Williams for The Muppet Movie (1979). The song received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song and has since become a beloved and iconic tune.His extensive filmography as a musician, arranger, or composer includes:
- The Muppet Movie (1979) – Composer ("The Rainbow Connection"), Performer
- The Wiz (1978) – Keyboardist
- Fame (1980) – Keyboardist
- Sophie's Choice (1982) – Keyboardist
- An American Tail (1986) – Keyboardist
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) – Pianist
- Muppet Treasure Island (1996) – Musician
He has also contributed to numerous television productions, commercials, and other media projects throughout his career.
Awards and Recognition
- Academy Award Nomination: Best Original Song for "The Rainbow Connection" (with Paul Williams) from The Muppet Movie (1979).
- Recognized for his work on numerous Grammy-winning and nominated albums as a sideman and arranger.
Discography (Selected)
As Leader/Co-Leader
- Ascher's Away (1983)
- Kenneth Ascher: The Muppet Movie Album (as performer/composer)
As Sideman/Arranger (Partial List)
- John Lennon – Mind Games (1973), Walls and Bridges (1974)
- Paul Simon – Still Crazy After All These Years (1975)
- The Band – Northern Lights – Southern Cross (1975)
- Aretha Franklin – Sparkle (1976)
- B.B. King – Guess Who (1972)
- Woody Herman – The Raven Speaks (1972)
- Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra – Consummation (1970)
External Links
- [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kenneth-ascher-mn0000072049 Kenneth Ascher at AllMusic]
- [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0038479/ Kenneth Ascher at IMDb]