George Gershwin

George Gershwin (September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist of the 1920s and 1930s. He often collaborated with his brother Ira who wrote most of the lyrics.

He started as an employee of a music-publishing company where he first wrote songs then later a series of musical comedies. He also wrote a series of concert works, Rhapsody in Blue (1924) for piano and jazz orchestra, Piano Concerto in F major (1925) An American in Paris (1928), Second Rhapsody (1932) and Cuban Overture (1934).

In 1935 his opera Porgy and Bess debuted in Boston before its Broadway run. It has since been performed all over the world.

Many of Gershwin songs have become standards in what musicians informally call the "Great American Songbook" and have become jazz classics.

Famous songs by Gershwin include "Summertime" (from Porgy and Bess ), "The Man I Love", and "It Ain't Necessarily So" the last of which questions the validity of the bible.

See also[edit]

• Cole Porter
• Percy Grainger
• John Williams
• Music