An encyclopedia dedicated to the merits and contributions of one person can sometimes fall into one of two camps: overly detailed to the point of pedantry or not detailed enough. However, The Jerome Kern Encyclopedia strikes the balance between the two, and as a result is a well-defined and interesting reference volume dealing with the work of one of America’s most influential theatre and film composers.

Besides entries on the full-scale musicals Kern composed for the stage and screen, the volume also contains entries on over a hundred of his songs, as well as entries on the major lyricists, performers, directors, and producers he worked with over the course of his career. It includes a biography of Kern and appendixes on his career and recordings, as well as a bibliography and an index. Perhaps the most intriguing element of all the various sections of the book is the preface, which details the sad end of Kern’s life: after browsing some antiques stores, he collapsed in the street. Having no identification on him but an unsigned American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) card, the hospital called the ASCAP office and Oscar Hammerstein arrived and identified Kern, his collaborator on Show Boat and other works. Kern died within the week.

Kern is best known for his popular songs “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” (made famous by the The Platters in 1958 but recorded by at least 25 others, including Edith Piaf and Cher) and “The Way You Look Tonight” (included in the 1936 film Swing Time, the lyrics were written by Dorothy Fields, who became the first woman to win a songwriting Oscar). However, part of the fun of the volume is browsing and learning about previously unknown-to-this-reader songs, such as “Bongo on the Congo” or “How’d You Like to Spoon with Me?” (and then, with the help of YouTube, listening to these immediately).

While Kern is included in over 80 biographical compendiums and is the subject of several biographies, the Jerome Kern Encyclopedia meets the author’s goal of by providing “the single most comprehensive work of Jerome Kern” (viii). Recommended for large general reference collections and specialized music collections.