George Gershwin composed over a thousand songs during his career from 1916 to 1937, establishing himself as the definitive American composer who bridged vernacular and concert music traditions. Working primarily with his brother Ira Gershwin as lyricist, he created an extraordinary catalog of Broadway standards including "Embraceable You," "I Got Rhythm," "A Foggy Day," "Love Is Here to Stay," "But Not For Me," "Summertime," "'S Wonderful," and "Someone To Watch Over Me." His 1924 Rhapsody in Blue established his signature fusion of jazz and classical forms. Gershwin's harmonic innovations, particularly the chord changes from "I Got Rhythm," became foundational to jazz improvisation. His 1935 folk opera Porgy and Bess remains the only American opera performed regularly on international stages. Gershwin's legacy profoundly influenced American popular music, jazz, and concert repertoire.
