George Gershwin facts
- George Gershwin (1898-1937) was an American composer born in Brooklyn, New York.
- Gershwin received some lessons from Rubin Goldmark, but was to a great extent self-taught.
- Gershwin wrote the scores for many musical comedies including Lady Be Good, 1924; Strike up the Band, 1927; Girl Crazy, 1930; Of Thee I Sing, Pulitzer Prize play, 1931; Let 'Em Eat Cake, 1933; and the folk-opera Porgy and Bess, 1935.
- Gershwin composed many orchestral pieces, notably The Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris, high points in the expression of American jazz.
- George Gershwin died in Hollywood after a short illness.
