GEORGE GERSHWIN

George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn, New York. George had two brothers Arthur and Ira Gershwin and one sister Frances Gershwin. His parents names were Morris and Rosa Gershwin.

George Gershwin’s father changed the family name from Gershowitz to Gershwin because they had recently moved from St. Petersburg, Russia to America. Gershwin’s family was Jewish.

Gershwin lived a normal childhood. He never cared for music until his parents bought a piano for Gershwins older brother Ira.

When George was 12, he began taking piano lessons. He also played a little violin.

GERSHWINS EARLY CAREER

• He started his career by playing in New York night clubs.
• Three years later, he turned into a professional composer.

George Gershwin composed for mostly opera and jazz music.l

SUCCESSES

• Composed a production put on by George White.
• Composed a song called “Rhapsody in Blue”.
• Wrote numerous songs including “Oh, Lady be Good”, Strike Up the Band”, and “Embraceable You”.

GERSHWINS DEATH

• In the beginning of 1937, Gershwin began to notice symptoms such as headaches.
• He died from a brain tumor.
• He died on July 11, 1937
• He was only 38 years old

FUN FACTS ABOUT GEORGE GERSHWIN

• Gershwin dropped out of school at age 15.
• Gershwin is also a very talented painter.
• In the mid 1920’s, Gershwin moved to Paris for a while.
• Gershwin never married
• He and his family immigrated to the United States.

SUMMERTIME

• https://youtu.be/ixdJLXDT_QM
• Summertime was a song featured in one of the best musicals of all time.

I’VE GOT RHYTHM

• https://youtu.be/uPRiM5JvYx8

RHAPSODY IN BLUE

• https://youtu.be/eFHdRkeEnpM
• Paul Whiteman asked Gershwin to write a “jazz concerto” so he wrote Rhapsody in Blue.
• Rhapsody in Blue was first composed in 1924

QUOTES

• “Life is a lot like jazz...it’s best when you improvise.”
• “When I’m in my normal mood, music drips through my fingers.”
• “It’s always possible to create something original.”
• “Writing music is not so much inspiration as hard work.”
• “True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time.”
• “I frequently hear music in the heart of noise.”

WEBSITES I USED

• Wikipedia.org
• Biography.com
• Pbs.org
• Youtube.com