Knowra George Gershwin George Gershwin George Gershwin (1898–1937) was an American composer and pianist whose music joined popular song, jazz, and concert traditions. His works include Rhapsody in Blue and the opera Porgy and Bess.
Tin Pan Alley : The New York music-publishing district and industry that produced and sold popular songs from the late nineteenth century onward. Gershwin began as a song plugger and became one of Tin Pan Alley's most successful songwriters.
Rhapsody in Blue : A 1924 composition for piano and jazz band by George Gershwin, later orchestrated by Ferde Grofé. Its piano writing and jazz-band sonorities made it Gershwin's signature concert work.
Ferde Grofé : An American composer and arranger known for orchestral suites, including Grand Canyon Suite. Grofé orchestrated Rhapsody in Blue for its premiere and later versions.
New York City : The largest city in the United States, located at the mouth of the Hudson River. Gershwin was born, trained, and launched his professional career in New York.
American classical music : Concert music composed in the United States, encompassing diverse styles and traditions. Gershwin became a defining figure in efforts to create a distinctively American concert repertoire.
Jazz : A musical tradition rooted in African American communities, marked by improvisation, syncopation, and distinctive rhythmic and harmonic practices. Jazz rhythms and idioms shaped Gershwin's concert works and popular songs.
An American in Paris : A 1928 orchestral tone poem by George Gershwin depicting an American visitor's impressions of Paris. It extends Gershwin's blend of jazz-inflected writing and orchestral form.
Eva Jessye : An American choral director who founded the Eva Jessye Choir and prepared it for Porgy and Bess. Her choir performed in the original production of Gershwin's opera.
Remick Music Company : A major New York music publisher that issued popular songs during the early twentieth century. Gershwin worked there as a song plugger, promoting sheet music to performers.
Jazz standard : A widely known song or composition that serves as a common basis for jazz performance and improvisation. Songs such as I Got Rhythm entered the shared repertoire of jazz musicians.
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