Jewish songwriters were the major contributors to the American songbook – the standards that were written mostly in the 1930s. Songs like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Embraceable You,” “I Cover the Waterfront” – were written by Jewish songwriters. Most of these songs have an underlying Yiddish feeling to them – a sense of warmth and longing, a depth of feeling.
It was healthy to be a Jewish songwriter in New York: With the notable exceptions of George Gershwin & Larry Hart, most of these songwriters lived pretty long lives. Most lived into their 80s or 90s – and Irving Berlin lived to 101.
In A Night of Jazz by Jewish Songwriters, Maggie Rose and her Quartet will explore the work of 17 Jewish songwriters – most writing their signature songs in the 1930s. Along with wonderful music, Maggie will give you brief bios of these composers – maybe also showing a path towards their longevity. (Music can bring great joys…)
You can hear Maggie and her musicians at www.maggierosejazz.org.
(You can also see the evening’s program of songs & buy tickets on that site.)
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