Kenneth Ascher

Kenneth Ascher (born October 26, 1944, Washington, D.C.), also known as "Ken" or "Kenny" Ascher, is an American musician (keyboards), songwriter and musical arranger.

Ascher's work through the years has included keyboard parts and string arrangements on John Lennon's album "Walls and Bridges" and Yoko Ono's "A Story", lyrics to several tunes from Barbra Streisand's remake of "A Star Is Born" (where he also served as music coordinator), and arrangements for portions of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf's masterpiece, "Bat out of Hell" (produced by Todd Rundgren).

Ascher is also notable for his many songs cowritten with singer-songwriter and actor Paul Williams, including "The Rainbow Connection", sung by Kermit the Frog in "The Muppet Movie". Ascher's own rendition of the song was featured in the closing credits of "The Break-Up" (starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston). Ascher also plays keyboard for the Birdland Big Band, the house band for the Birdland jazz club in New York City.