George Gershwin
/ˌdʒɔːdʒ ˈɡɜːʃwɪn/
/ˌdʒɔːrdʒ ˈɡɜːrʃwɪn/
- (1898-1937) a US composer who wrote many popular songs. He also wrote serious music in which he introduced elements of jazz and other forms of popular music. His best-known works include Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and the African American opera Porgy and Bess (1935). He also wrote several musical comedy shows, including Lady Be Good (1924), Strike up the Band (1927) and Of Thee I Sing (1931), which won a Pulitzer Prize. George Gershwin's brother Ira (1896-1983) wrote the words for many of his songs.