George Gershwin

George Gershwin (1898–1937) was a groundbreaking American composer and pianist who bridged the worlds of classical music and jazz with unmatched originality. Rising from Tin Pan Alley to international acclaim, Gershwin brought the rhythms, harmonies, and spirit of jazz into concert halls through works such as Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, and the opera Porgy and Bess.

Alongside his brother, lyricist Ira Gershwin, he also created some of the most enduring songs of the American musical theater, marked by sophistication, emotional immediacy, and urban energy. Despite his short life, Gershwin’s music helped define an unmistakably American voice in 20th-century music and continues to influence composers and performers across genres.