George Gershwin (1898-1937) was born in New York City into a Russian Jewish immigrant family.

Growing up in New York City, George Gershwin’s musical gift became clear when he began to play a piano that had been bought for his older brother, Ira. He never looked back.

Gershwin became obsessed by the Jazz and Blues music he heard in the bars of Harlem. Until then most American composers had studied in Europe but Gershwin created his own rules and drew on these new American forms of music to create his own modern style.

Originally from a poor background, Gershwin’s talent as a pianist and composer led him to create many hit Broadway musicals (with his brother Ira writing the lyrics) and he quickly become part of New York’s glamorous and sophisticated ‘high society’.

Rhapsody in Blue

His most famous piece of music is probably Rhapsody in Blue written for solo piano and jazz band in 1924.  It combines element of classical music with jazz-influenced effects. George Gershwin claimed he frequently heard music “in the heart of noise” and said the idea for Rhapsody in Blue came to him while travelling on a train. He poured the rhythms and noise of the modern city (including a clattering train) and its musical styles into his new piece. At the time Jazz and Blues, created by African Americans in the southern states of America, were taking New York by storm. So Gershwin created a patchwork of exciting jazz-influenced melodies and moods for his rhapsody. From the soaring opening notes on the clarinet, to the razzle-dazzle of the brass, this is music full of excitement, swagger, and Gershwin’s love for his home

Animated film about Gershwin

Film about Gershwin

I got rhythm

Rhapsody in Blue

Porgy and Bess mix

Gershwin Best of