Mid-Week Songs: Birthday Anniversaries

 

Yesterday marked the birthday anniversaries of two greats in contemporary music: lyricist Ira Gershwin (1896-1983) and jazz pianist Dave Brubeck (1920-2012). With his composer brother George, the Gershwin brothers created some of the greatest popular and jazz tunes of the 20th century, many of which are considered integral to the Great American Songbook. Brubeck, who formed one of the classic jazz quartets of all time, extended jazz's popularity in the years following World War II. Here are two of their signature works, "I Got Rhythm" sung by the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald, and "Take Five" by the Dave Brubeck Quartet (featuring Paul Desmond on alto sax, Eugene Wright on double bass, and Joe Morello on drums).

Sunday Reflection: The Incomparable Lyricist

Today, our reflection is upon the work of one of America's greatest lyricists, Ira Gershwin, whose birthday in 1896 was today. So instead of one quote from this American original, we'll recall some of his most memorable and instantly recognizable lyrics from the 20th century's Great American Songbook that he, along with his brother George, was instrumental in creating:

"There's a somebody I'm longing to see, I hope that he, turns out to be, someone to watch over me," "Someone To Watch Over Me," from the 1926 musical "Oh, Kay."

"The way you wear your hat, The way you sip your tea, The mem'ry of all that -- No, no! They can't take that away from me!", "They Can't Take That Away From Me," from the 1937 film "Shall We Dance?"

"I got rhythm, I got music, I got my man- Who could ask for anything more?" "I Got Rhythm", from the 1930 musical "Girl Crazy."

"Summer time an' the livin' is easy, Fish are jumpin' an' the cotton is high. Oh, yo' daddy's rich, and yo' ma' is good-lookin', So hush, little baby, don' yo' cry." "Summertime," from the 1935 opera "Porgy and Bess."