(1898-1937). American composer. Gershwin's melodic gifts established him as an important composer of popular American musical comedies.

Beyond his immensely sussessful songs, Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" for Piano and Jazz Orchestra infused a classical form with the jazz idiom. This was followed by the Concerto for Piano in F major, and his symphonic work "An American in Paris". These remain among Gershwin's most frequently performed instrumental works.

Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" is considered to be the first fully successful American opera. It was staged in 1935 and many portions of the opera soon took on a life of their own, including "I got plenty of nuthin'", "It ain't necessarily so", and especially "Summertime".

George Gershwin's life was tragically short - just 38 years.