... jazz and blues coming from the African culture, and mixed it with the traditional classical concert sound that originated in Europe and had been played for hundreds of years. He could be equated as an American equivalent of Verdi. His name, George Gershwin, conjures memories and nostalgic imaginings of the Jazz Age ... 1898 in Brooklyn, New York. George had two brothers, Arthur and Ira, and one sister, Francis (Frankie). Although George is the most well known of the family, his brother Ira was also a successful lyricist. In fact, if it weren't for Ira's interest in music, George's parent...

• Word Count: 868
• Approx Pages: 3

... an upright piano and Gershwin quickly learned to play it. Uninterested in his regular academic studies, Gershwin focused primarily on studying the theory of music and harmony. Gershwin never even completed high school. Continuing his musical studies with a composer named Henry Conwell and music theorist Joseph ... pianist. Shortly thereafter, he was hired to write songs for the head of the publishing house T.B. arms, Max Dryfus, and he toured as an accompanist for musician Nora Bayes. Gershwin began to get a few of his songs set into current musical shows and his popularity began to gro...

• Word Count: 1185
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School