CHAIRMAN Heather Casson opened the April meeting of the Wednesday Club with news of absent members. There are still a few places available for the day out to Lichfield and the National Arboretum on May 28.
The guest speaker for the afternoon was Brian Green with his talk entitled I got Gershwin.
Brian presented a history of the American composer in pictures and sound. Born Jacob Gershwine in 1898 to Russian Jewish immigrants, he heard jazz performed live from the age of six and in his teens played piano in Tin Pan Alley to potential customers for sheet music.
He published his first song at the age of 16 and in 1919 he was involved in the successful introduction of Al Jolson with Swanee. Bandleader Paul Whiteman was responsible for George writing Rhapsody in Blue, and Broadway success followed with Lady be Good in 1924 when he teamed up with his brother, lyricist Ira.
Brian delighted his audience with many extracts from George and Ira's work, including performances by Gene Kelly and Ethel Merman in shows like American in Paris, Strike up the Band and Funny Face.
The first satirical musical to win a Pulitzer prize was one of theirs. His most ambitious work was the folk opera Porgy and Bess, which was actually a financial failure. The brothers were involved in musicals in Hollywood until George died at the age of 38 from a brain tumour.
May Martin thanked Brian on behalf of a very appreciative, foot-tapping audience.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here