He was born Jacob Gershowitz in Brooklyn, New York on the 26th day of September in 1898. The younger brother of lyricist Ira Gershwin, Jacob, who changed his name to “George” to go with the new last name both brothers adopted, would be considered by some to be the greatest American composer of the 20th Century. In honor of George Gershwin’s outstanding talent following are a few performances of his music by some of the greatest interpreters of song the world has ever known.
- George Gershwin was only 25-years-old when he composed his enduring masterpiece “Rhapsody in Blue” in 1924.
Gershwin plays Gershwin, “Rhapsody in Blue”
- By Sophie Tucker, “The Man I Love”
- From Girl Crazy (1943) – “I Got Rhythm” sung by Judy Garland
- From Shall We Dance (1937) – “They Can’t Take that Away from Me” by Fred Astaire with Ginger Rogers
- By Ella Fitzgerald, “Embraceable You”
- “Someone to Watch Over Me” by Frank Sinatra:
“True music must repeat the thoughts and inspirations of the people and the time. My people are Americans and my time is today.”
Once upon a screen... 
Master of his craft.
Indeed!
Wonderful, wonderful — I have such a soft spot in my heart for Sophie Tucker! Thanks for posting her — I listened to several of her songs as they popped up after the original post you put on!
😀 I love Sophie too. So glad you enjoyed this. It took me forever to choose one, but went with WHATEVER because she’s just fabulous. And yes, glad you stayed on for the follow-ups.
Aurora
What a talent ,two brothers who could write such beautiful music and lyrics.
My favorite version of The Man I love is by Gladys Swarthout at the Hollywood Bowl memorial concert for George – maybe just because it’s live and marvellous that the concert was recorded.
Thanks for all the clips
Seriously! Some talent genes. I haven’t heard that version by Gladys so I’ll make a note of it. lad you enjoyed this.
Aurora
Oh wow. Happy Birthday to me! Thank you for these Aurora. As I write this, your Sunshine Award is off to my right….yep, this post is full of sunshine!
And you’re always full of sunshine too! Always so happy when I see you left a note. 🙂
Aurora
Reblogged this on Lavender Turquois.
Ah, I love “Rhapsody in Blue”. Sometimes I play it when I’m suffering from writer’s block.
Thanks for this tribute to a very talented man.
Very nice post Aurora! Embraceable You is one of my favorite songs.
Thanks, Raquel. Glad you liked this. “Embraceable You” is way up there on my list as well. Such a talent!
Aurora