Donald Kahn

KAHN, Donald July 17, 1918-April 11, 2008 "A Beautiful Friendship..." "and just the beginning of love." On April 11, 2008, the world lost a kind, sensitive, generous, humble and gentle soul, Donald Gustave Kahn. Donald not only inherited his parents', Gus and Grace LeBoy's Kahn's renown musical talents and legacy, he himself embodied a variety of beautiful music with its myriad of styles, and which music emanated from the very fiber of his being, his heart and soul. Donald grew up in a special milleu, amongst such greats as Jerome Kern, George and Ira Gershwin, Harry Warren, Richard Rodgers, Al Jolson (his godfather), Eddie Cantor, Judy Garland, just to name a few. As a songwriter, musical arranger, musician/pianist, television and radio personality, he created his own unique and poignant style, touching many. A graduate of Pomona College, Donald Kahn served as navigation instructor for the RAF, in Hollbrook, AZ during World War II. Throughout the course of his over 70-year career, Donald Kahn collaborated with the likes of Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn, Stanley Styne, etc., even writing a song, "When It's Peach Blossom Time in Georgia," with his mother Grace. In the 1950s, he produced, arranged and recorded, together with his first wife, vocalist Lois Marx, and songwriter Ray Gilbert "Yes Sir That's My Baby" an LP which contained several of his father Gus' admired and popular songs. Donald's own music was recorded by such pivotal artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Margaret Whiting, Kenny G., Bobby Troup, Jack Jones, Shirley Horn, Sarah Vaughan, etc. Rosemary Clooney closed many of her shows with a rendition of Kahn/Styne's "A Beautiful Friendship." Skitch Henderson, Benny Carter, Van Alexander, Vic Mizzi, Ray Charles and Neal Hefti were counted among his vast array of, and closest friends. Donald Kahn was often a "key player" (member or board member) in the service of some of music's finest organizations, such as the Songwriter's Guild of America, ASCAP, Hal Leonard Music Publishing Co., the Johnny Mercer Foundation. Donald Kahn is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Bobby Kahn; his children, Linda, Katharine, Gwynne, Melinda, Brooke and Carter; eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. We all loved him dearly and will miss him profoundly...in fact we already do. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Society of Singers, 818-995-7100, on behalf of Donald Kahn would be appreciated.