George Gershwin Headshot

George Gershwin

Date of Death: July 11, 1937 (38)

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY

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George Gershwin BIO

George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn on September 26, 1898, and began his musical training when he was 13. At 16 he quit high school to work as a "song plugger" for a music publisher, and soon he was writing songs himself. "Swanee," as introduced by Al Jolson, brought George his first real fame and led to his writing a succession of 22 musical comedies, most with his older brother, Ira. The Gershwins' shows include Lady Be Good, Oh, Kay!, Strike Up the Band, Girl Crazy, and the Pulitzer Prize winning Of Thee I Sing. From his early career George had ambitions to compose serious music, and his classical masterpieces include "Rhapsody In Blue," "Concerto In F," "An American In Paris" and "Second Rhapsody." In the late '20s George became fascinated by the DuBose Heyward novel Porgy, recognizing it as a perfect vehicle for opera using jazz and blues idioms. The folk opera Porgy and Bess had its Broadway premiere in October of 1935. In 1937 George was at the height of his career. While working on the score of The Goldwyn Follies in Hollywood, he collapsed, and on July 11, died of a brain tumor. He was not quite 39 years old.

George Gershwin STAGE CREDITS

George Gershwin Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
Music & Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Music
 
[Paris, 2014]
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[Broadway, 1937]
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[Broadway, 1936]
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[Broadway, 1930]
Conductor
 
[Broadway, 1927]
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[Broadway, 1923]
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[Broadway, 1922]
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[Broadway, 1922]
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[Broadway, 1921]
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[Broadway, 1919]
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[Broadway, 1918]
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Sketches/Composer/Lyricist
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George Gershwin Movies

[1937]Shall We Dance music by

[1938]The Goldwyn Follies music by

[1945]Rhapsody in Blue music

[1951]An American in Paris music by

[1957]Funny Face songwriter

[1964]Kiss Me, Stupid songs by

[2013]The Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess' music

[2018]An American in Paris - The Musical music and lyrics by

George Gershwin Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2007 - Best New Musical

George GershwinThe Gershwins' Porgy And Bess

George Gershwin Videos

George Gershwin News


NYFOS Next Festival to Return with New Song Performances at Rubin Museum of Art

New York Festival of Song, led by Artistic Director Steven Blier, will present its annual NYFOS Next Festival with two performances on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at the Rubin Museum of Art.

SUNY College of Optometry to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Rhapsody in Blue with Exclusive Concert

Join SUNY College of Optometry in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with an exclusive concert featuring Grammy-nominated musicians. Find out more about this one-night-only event and the tribute to Gershwin's iconic masterpiece.

Maude Maggart to Present New Show HERE COME THE DREAMERS at Birdland

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the singular cabaret artist Maude Maggart in the premiere of her new show “Here Come the Dreamers” on Monday, October 16 at 7:00 PM.

Carol Sue Will Return To The Stage At Don't Tell Mama Next Month

Carol Sue will return to the stage at Don't Tell Mama, 10/31, 11/15 , and 12/10, following her sold out show at the Green Room last fall. Learn more about the upcoming shows and how to get tickets here!

Orion Weiss Unveils 2023/2024 Season Featuring Performances with MTT, Recitals with Augustin Hadelich & More

Pianist Orion Weiss reveals his exciting 2023/2024 season, including performances with the NSO and CSO conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, recitals with violinist Augustin Hadelich, and chamber music with the Ariel Quartet. Find out more about his upcoming engagements and tour dates.

New York Festival of Song Releases MI PAÍS: SONGS OF ARGENTINA Featuring Federico De Michelis and Steven Blier

New York Festival of Song has released its next studio album Mi País: Songs of Argentina featuring bass-baritone Federico De Michelis and pianist and NYFOS Artistic Director Steven Blier on NYFOS Records.

Hershey Felder Will Perform a One-Night-Only Benefit For TheatreWorks

Hershey Felder has responded to TheatreWorks fundraising needs with an extraordinary offer: Felder will fly in for the day on October 11 and take the stage for one evening only with his Great American Songbook Sing-Along: A One-Night-Only Benefit for TheatreWorks. Learn more about the upcoming event here!

Frank Sinatra 'Platinum' Out Next Month to Celebrate 70th Anniversary Of Capitol Recordings

Available on 4LP, 2CD, and digital formats, the 44-track collection features a cross-section of Sinatra’s most beloved songs and sought-after rarities. From the swinging “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and ebullient “Come Fly With Me” to the breathtaking “Moonlight in Vermont” and torch song “Only The Lonely,” the set also includes unreleased tracks.

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra Inaugurates Fifth Season With A Concert That Redefines The Symphony

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra opens its fifth season Saturday, September 16, 2023, with music that redefines the symphony as genre. The evening will feature music by Brittney Benton, Yoko Nakatani, Vincent Persichetti, and Arnold Schönberg, bringing a historical approach to the ever changing façade of this genre.

Birdland to Present AMANDA GREEN & FRIENDS Featuring Jenn Colella, Jarrod Spector, Jade Jones & More

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present two-time Tony-nominated and Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer Amanda Green on Monday, October 9 at 7:00 PM.

Patti LuPone, Vanessa Williams & Joshua Henry to Perform at New York City Ballet's 2023 Fall Gala

Patti LuPone, Vanessa Williams and Joshua Henry will perform at the New York City Ballet's 2023 Fall Gala on Thursday, October 5, at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

Listen: A COLLECTIVE CY: JEFF HARNAR SINGS CY COLEMAN Out Now

Discover the latest album release from JEFF HARNAR, 'CY COLEMAN.' Immerse yourself in the timeless melodies and unforgettable performances of this must-listen project. Get your copy today and experience the magic of CY COLEMAN's music brought to life by JEFF HARNAR and his extraordinary musical guests.

Listen: Two New Barbra Streisand Albums Set For Release In October, Listen to the First Track!

Two new albums featuring Barbra Streisand will be released next month. EVERGREENS: Celebrating Six Decades on Columbia Records and YENTL: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will both be available on Friday, October 27. Learn more about both albums, and how to pre-order them now, here!

Al Hirschfeld Foundation to Launch Partnership With City Winery With Event & Exhibition HIRSCHFELD'S MUSIC

Discover the vibrant world of Al Hirschfeld's music-inspired artwork at City Winery's exciting new exhibition and multimedia event. Immerse yourself in the artist's iconic drawings and experience the magic of his talent brought to life.

The American Recital Debut Award to Present Cellist John-Henry Crawford In Carnegie Hall Debut

Louisiana-born cellist John-Henry Crawford will make his debut in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on October 3, 2023, in a program presented by the American Recital Debut Award.

CAP UCLA's 23-24 Season Kicks Off With Opening Weekend Performances

 UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance (CAP UCLA) opens its 2023-2024 season with a weekend of virtuosic stars and genre-blending collaborations including celebrated jazz legends Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap at Royce Hall, followed by the inaugural performance at the new UCLA Nimoy Theater (The Nimoy) headlined by Grammy-winning spoken word artist J. Ivy.

Review: PROM 55 �" GERSHWIN'S PIANO CONCERTO, Royal Albert Hall

The Boston Symphony Orchestra’s second outing at this year’s Proms celebrated the magic of movement, with varying degrees of dance in pieces by Stravinsky, Ravel, Gershwin, and a European première from Carlos Simon. Their programme took the audience back in time, beginning in the 2020s and ending in the 1910s; a century of music with a whole host of inspirations.

The Music Center Announces Full Fall Season with Dance, and Music, Theatre

On the heels of a sizzling summer, The Music Center and its TMC Arts programming division, its resident company campus partners (Center Theatre Group, LA Opera, LA Phil and the Los Angeles Master Chorale) and Gloria Molina Grand Park are ready to embrace the fall season with an abundance of exciting and unique experiences for all Angelenos and visitors.

Jeff Harnar's New Cy Coleman Album 'A COLLECTIVE CY' is Now Available for Pre-Order

PS CLASSICS, the label dedicated to the heritage of Broadway and American Popular Song, has announced that the new album from multi-award-winning concert artist JEFF HARNAR – A Collective Cy: Jeff Harnar Sings Cy Coleman – is now available for pre-order on iTunes.

2 Broadway Shows Play Final Performances Today

Broadway says goodbye to two limited run productions. Good Night, Oscar takes its final bow at the Belasco following 16 previews and 126 regular performances; and El Mago Pop will conclude its run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre following 5 previews and 13 regular performances.

George Gershwin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

George Gershwin has written 48 shows including Half-Past Eight (Composer), La, La, Lucille (Composer), La-La-Lucille! (Composer), Morris Gest's "Midnight Whirl" (Composer), George White's Scandals [1920] (Composer), Snapshots of 1921 (Composer), The Broadway Whirl (Composer), George White's Scandals [1921] (Composer), The French Doll (Composer), George White's Scandals [1922] (Composer), Our Nell (Composer), George White's Scandals [1923] (Composer), Sweet Little Devil (Composer), George White's Scandals [1924] (Composer), Primrose (Composer), Lady, Be Good (Composer), Tell Me More! (Composer), Tip-Toes (Composer), Song of the Flame (Composer), Oh, Kay! (Composer), Strike Up the Band (Composer), Funny Face (Composer), Rosalie (Composer), Treasure Girl (Composer), Show Girl (Composer), Girl Crazy (Composer), Of Thee I Sing (Composer), Pardon My English (Composer), Let 'Em Eat Cake (Composer), Porgy and Bess (Composer), All Points West (Composer), Who Cares? (Composer), Do It Again! (Composer), Mr. Words (Composer), My One and Only (Composer), Gertrude Stein and a Companion (Additional Music), Reaching for the Moon (Composer), Crazy for You (Composer), The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm (Composer/Lyricist), Jolson & Co. (Composer/Lyricist), American Rhapsody: A New Musical Revue (Composer), George Gershwin Alone (Composer/Lyricist), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Composer), Stairway to Paradise (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), The Gershwins' An American In Paris (Composer), Come Fly Away (Composer), Nice Work If You Can Get It (Composer), A Night With Janis Joplin (Composer).

Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess and The American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Crazy For You .

George Gershwin has won the American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for the Broadway show "Crazy For You".

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