George Gershwin made famous works of vocal or theatrical content that were used in Broadway shows, television, and movies. They were very unique and are now used as jazz standards everywhere. George Gershwin’s music was loved and appreciated all over.
Biography
George Gershwin was born on September 26, 1989 as Jacob Gershowitz. in Brooklyn. His parents bought a piano for Ira, but George took immediate interest in it and his parents gave him 12 lessons and he began to compose.
He learned how to play piano at a friends house by following the keys on the player piano. At the age of 15 he quit school to become a pianist earning $15 a week. His first song was published in 1918. It was called “When you Want Em You Don’t Get Em, When You Got Em You Don’t Want Em”.
George Gershwin was a composer when he was 16 years old. At that age he began working for a publishing house of Remick in New York, playing the piano in order to boost sales. From there he moved to the Harms publishing house at thirty-five dollars a week writing songs. It was while he was working at Harms that he began receiving commissions to write songs. In 1924, he teamed up with his brother Ira. As a collaborative team of songwriters, George and Ira wrote the music for many Broadway hits including Lady Be Good, Tip-Toes, Oh, Kay! Strike Up the band, Funny Face, Girl Crazy and Of Thee I Sing. He made $35 dollars for his great six rolls he did for the people who heard him. Gershwin was one of the first to introduce into popular songs the rhythms and melodies of jazz. In 1932, Gershwin's musical Of Thee I Sing was the first musical to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize. He visited Havana in 1932 for relaxation and became very interested in the Cuban music, particularly the percussion.
George Gershwin made famous works of vocal or theatrical content that were used in broadway shows, television, and movies. They were very unique and are now used as jazz standards everywhere. George Gershwin’s music was loved and appreciated all over. Sadly he died July 11, 1937 at 39 years old.
George White's Scandals (1920–1924), Lady, Be Good (1924) Tip-Toes (1925) Tell Me More! (1925) Oh, Kay! (1926) Strike up the Band (1927) Funny Face (1927).
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External Links
http://www.gershwinfan.com/George.html