Remember Leonard Bernstein, composer of "West Side Story"

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was an American composer and conductor, one of the musical giants of the 20th century. He was a classical artist, but in true New York style, he mixed classical music with jazz and Broadway.

Bernstein was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on August 25, 1918. Incidentally, this was during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1920.

He was one of the artists who seem to have two brains. He could play the piano and conduct at the same time.

The former musical director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra (1958-1969) is best known for having composed the score of "West Side Story". But he also composed "On the Waterfront", "On the Town" and other Broadway shows.

He was good at connecting with a large audience through television. Bernstein conducted the New York Philharmonic's "Young People's Concerts" for more than a decade. This made him a household name.

Bernstein is one of those artists who have won Emmys, Tonys, and Grammys, but not just one of each. There were 11 Emmys, 1 Tony and 17 Grammys. Oh, and a Kennedy Center Honor too.

He died in Manhattan on October 14, 1990. Leonard Bernstein is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.