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GEORGE GERSHWIN  

July 11 marks the anniversary of George Gershwin's death. To reminisce, here's a look at some of my favorite songs by the great composer.

George Gershwin's music, though composed mainly in the 1920s and 1930s, has remained popular to the present day. Not generally known is that Gershwin's music contains many Jewish elements.

No other musical piece by George Gershwin reflected the Great Depression and the dreams of putting NYC's laborers back to work than in his Second Rhapsody--a follow-up to "Rhapsody in Blue." However, this follow-up rhapsody has never been as popular as the first...

Happy birthday to Johnny Appleseed, George Gershwin, Jack LaLanne, Olivia Newton-John, Serena Williams and others. Is September 26th your birthday too? How will you celebrate this momentous occasion? With what notable individuals do you share your birth date?

Paul Simon has officially become America's National Treasure. PBS aired the 3-hour tribute concert highlighting over 50 years of Paul Simon's brilliant songwriting and musical performances. We salute you, Paul.

The resulting musical styles range from the flamboyant and soulful works of George Gershwin, to the dense intellectualism of Arnold Schoenberg, and everything in between.

Herbie Hancock and Lang-Lang's two-piano edition of "Rhapsody in Blue" proves that the piece still can work--even when truncated for the sound bite generation. But the Rhapsody has had some interesting configurations over the years every musician should check out...

Read a humorous rendition of a cynic's viewpoint of the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.

A short Biography of the 1920's Broadway Star Marilyn Miller

Miles Davis, as a trumpeter, composer and band leader, was at the forefront of the evolution of jazz for his entire recording career. Here are ten of my favorite cuts spanning more than 25 years of Miles as a musical visionary.

A biography of Ziegfield Follies Star Eddie Cantor

There was a time - not very long ago - when diamond wedding rings were mainly for women, and all looked pretty much the same. Today, its common for men to wear diamond wedding rings as well, and traditional mens gold wedding rings are just the tip of the iceberg!

A few known facts about Duke Ellington, one of the greatest Composers and Musicians to ever Rock the Jazz World!

Since 1874, Chautauqua Institution has been providing an educational experience in a resort-like location.

You know the song. You've heard it a million times. It brings you back to a place you never knew.

Admit it: there are some movies that are praised by almost everyone that you think simply stink. Will one of those movies you hate be here? Or will there be a movie you agree is a masterpiece on this list?

During a slightly less invasive time in Hollywood--a lot of celebrities had mental issues as a part of their natural chemistry or from incidents in their personal past. Here's a selected list of ones who battled their problems and mostly won...

A profile of the French actress who starred in RKO's classic psychological thrillers "Cat People" and "Curse of the Cat People."

My choice of the top ten Broadway musicals of all time.

a review of the artist's latest album

It was not until the late 19th century however that the unique half-tones and sliding notes that characterized blues singing combined with ragtime to produce what is today known as jazz.

If a boy was bored by smoky and boozy gay bars, he could go to this quiet, swank bath-house, by and for gay men only, to meet his next boyfriend.

Ten of the most important Broadway Musicals of the 20th Century

Willie Lee McAdams established the day nursery for the children who were left on the streets while their parents were working in 1929. Today the center is still one of the most affordable day care facilities in the area.

If you think the genre behind "Mamma Mia!" came from the same mysterious Greek island where the musical (and movie) is set, then you need a history lesson, my friend. The jukebox musical genre already had some interesting history starting in the early 1980's...

A charming yet relatively generic musical, Funny Face was a huge success upon its release in 1957, and is now a celebrated classic.

Research paper on Leonard Bernstein a Famous Composer of Classical Music

I discuss the consequences of a McCain-Lieberman and an Obama-Kaine ticket, and I give some jokes and suggest some campaign slogans.

Other than in a few cases, why someone gets a brain tumor is still a mystery. Many writers, musicians, actors and sports figures died from them. Here's a select list of ones who had varying complications, survival rates...and even ones who still live to this day...

What's going on today?

Aside from the fact that P.G. Wodehouse lived to age 94, and could bend down and touch his toes (straight-legged) most of those years, fans remember him best for the Jeeves & Wooster books.

Cjeff Has Traded The Stage For The Studio

Boston has long been known as "the hub" because in Massachusetts and New England it is seen as the center of cultural activity. These three nightlife activities demonstrate why.

People can oftentimes become intimidated with what is unfamiliar to them. And because classical music is not as commonly played everywhere as much as rock and other forms of pop music are, people do not enjoy classical music and its concerts as much as they actually can.

African-Americans have been so much a part of the arts and entertainment field, that it's hard to believe that this was not always the case. Meet the creative, courageous individuals who first made their mark to open the doors for others to come.

Libra, character traits of those who fall under this particular sign.

Who knew what was about to transpire? I was about to walk away from my dream when his calling stopped me cold in my tracks. She was in a time warp. Severly injured in a car accident 12 years before. Who was I to deny her dream?

Fogerty is one of America's greatest songwriters evidenced by his range of material on this disc

An overview of Glenn Miller's career in the military.

Pamela Anderson Lee's wedding outfit (a white bikini), Debbie Gibson's halloween Seances, and Pres. Nixon's favorite Johnny Cash tune. Learn while you laugh. A music event timeline, covering the craziness of rock history w/ some down2earth facts mixed in.

As a fan and a former student of contemporary compositions, here is my brief analysis of 20th century music and the composers who made it.

"Porgy and Bess" was a controversial film in its day. Learn more about the reasons it angered some groups.

How does what I do define who I am? Although some behavior is indicative of who you are, the kind of things you are doing should not define your color. Besides, that seems rather superficial to me.

A list of famous people from a variety of categories and the days they celebrate their birthdays. Find out whose you share!

The grand hotel was built in 1913 with granite stones mined from Sunset Mountain. The historic Grove Pork Inn Resort and spa in Asheville, North Carolina has a mysterious guest who refuses to leave, known as the Pink Lady.

A selection of little-known songs from movies that were nominated for the Best Song Oscar.

Broadway and television legend Kitty Carlisle Hart dead at 96.

Club Eleven held a very special tribute to extraordinary songwriter/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, creator of Broadway showtunes of Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, to name a few, with a star studded evening of song, comedy and dance.

This article details the history of every Broadway theater with a list of their shows.

Theories on Music Therapy for Autistic Children

Actress Kitty Carlisle Hart has died in New York at the age of 96, her son announced on Wednesday.

How will musician Frank Zappa be remembered in time, or will he be remembered at all?

Folly Pier has been burnt down twice in 20 years and been wrecked by a Hurricane. Folly Pier is still a popular tourist destination and always has been.

With the cost of gas, a lot of people will be looking for fun things to do that are closer to home. It's even better when they are free.

Vacationing and taking a trip are frequently used interchangeably. They are, however, two different activities with two varying sets of purpose and goals. Both are good. Which one is it time for?

Three secrets to internet political and marketing success

Most often, this theme is around a particular songwriter; the late Bobby Short's performances of Cole Porter's music and his insightful commentary were legendary.

The Queen Mary is an Art Deco luxury ocean liner with a rich history. After 1001 transatlantic cruises, including leisure vacations and wartime duty, The Queen Mary has been permanently docked in Long Beach, California.

Although, like most people, I prefer cheerful and upbeat music - say, John Williams' Raiders' March, Billy Joel's Uptown Girl, or The Beatles' Eight Days a Week, there are periods when all I'll listen to is melancholic, even bitterly sad songs

American popular song has affected our public consciousness for as long as we've been a country. Now in the popular/rock eras, songs are everywhere: on the radio, on TV, on the Internet, in our IPods, and elsewere.

Secrets of the heart-pounding and soul-melting music enjoyed by Valentine's Day lovers are revealed by recording artist and commercial music composer Scott G (The G-Man).

Paul Simon is one of the world's greatest songwriters, musicians, and most copied performers. These top 10 video performances celebrate his brilliance, his career, and his life.

A Portrait of Harry B. Smith, The most prolific writer in the history of the Broadway Musical

This is the second part of my article on the vice presidents. This part focuses on the men who have served during the 20th century and beyond.

Image-laiden piece on Cassius Clay

Great songs with beautiful and thoughtful lyrics sung with heart and soul.

The second part of my article about all the theaters on Broadway, their history and some of the shows that have played there.