Died On This Date (July 11, 1937) George Gershwin / Iconic Composer
themusicsover George Gershwin (Born Jacob Gershowitz)
September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937
Although his career spanned just around twenty years due to his untimely death, George Gerswhin, along with his brother Ira Gershwin, created some of the most popular music of all time. His compositions can, to this day, be heard on Broadway, in classical concert halls, films and television. Many of his songs have become standards and have been recorded by the biggest names in show business. That list includes Barbra Streisand, Sting, Janis Joplin, Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Diana Ross, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane and Louis Armstrong. George Gershwin died at the age of 38 during surgery for what was a brain tumor. There have been some who disputed that a tumor caused his death.
What You Should Own
Jelly Roll Morton is considered Jazz’s first great composer and by at least himself, the inventor of jazz. Regardless, his contribution to the form cannot be denied. Starting out in New Orleans, reportedly playing the local bordellos as a teenager, Morton soon hit the road landing in Los Angeles, Chicago and finally New York where his reputation as a braggart kept him from landing the sidemen he wanted, adversely effecting his career. He did make some outstanding recordings though, but he never was able to get the acclaim he deserved until after his death, again, likely due to his reputation. Jelly Roll Morton died as a result of ongoing asthma troubles at just 50. His place in American music was finally recognized in the coming years when New Orleans jazz went through a revival.
