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Ira Gershwin

Ira Gershwin (born Israel Gershovitz; December 6, 1896 – August 17, 1983) was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs in the English language of the 20th century. With George, he wrote more than a dozen Broadway shows, featuring songs such as "I Got Rhythm", "Embraceable You", "The Man I Love" and "Someone to Watch Over Me". He was also responsible, along with DuBose Heyward, for the libretto to George's opera Porgy and Bess.

The success the Gershwin brothers had with their collaborative works has often overshadowed the creative role that Ira played. His mastery of songwriting continued after George's early death in 1937. Ira wrote additional hit songs with composers Jerome Kern, Kurt Weill, Harry Warren and Harold Arlen. His critically acclaimed 1959 book Lyrics on Several Occasions, an amalgam of autobiography and annotated anthology, is an important source for studying the art of the lyricist in the golden age of American popular song.

Birth and Death Data: Born December 6, 1896 (Manhattan), Died August 17, 1983 (Beverly Hills)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1920 - 1951

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 284 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-55639 10-in. 7/31/1929 Do what you do! Leo Reisman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BVE-58639 10-in. 1/31/1930 Soon Lewis James ; Victor Arden-Phil Ohman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BVE-58640 10-in. 1/31/1930 Strike up the band! Victor Arden-Phil Ohman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet lyricist  
Victor BVE-59660 10-in. 3/31/1930 Strike up the band! The Revelers Male vocal quartet, with piano lyricist  
Victor PBVE-61073 10-in. 2/16/1931 I got rhythm The Rounders Male vocal quartet, with piano lyricist  
Victor BVE-63113 10-in. 7/10/1930 I am only human after all Frank Luther ; Victor Arden-Phil Ohman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BVE-63159 10-in. 10/20/1930 Embraceable you Frank Luther ; Victor Arden-Phil Ohman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BVE-63160 10-in. 10/20/1930 I got rhythm Frank Luther ; Victor Arden-Phil Ohman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BVE-63178 10-in. 10/28/1930 Cheerful little earful High Hatters ; Leonard W. Joy ; Johnny Marvin Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BVE-67712 10-in. 12/15/1930 Bidin' my time Bluejeans Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio lyricist  
Victor BVE-67790 10-in. 1/13/1931 Cheerful little earful National Cavaliers Male vocal quartet, with piano lyricist  
Victor BVE-67800 10-in. 1/16/1931 Sam and Delilah Chick Bullock ; Cotton Club Orchestra ; Duke Ellington Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BRC-70995 10-in. 12/22/1931 Delishious Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BRC-71211 10-in. 12/31/1931 Somebody from somewhere Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BRC-71229 10-in. 1/14/1932 Who cares? (So long as you care for me) Arden-Ohman Orchestra ; Frank Luther Jazz/dance band, male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BRC-71230 10-in. 1/14/1932 Of thee I sing Arden-Ohman Orchestra ; Frank Luther Jazz/dance band, male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BS-74647 10-in. 12/8/1932 My cousin in Milwaukee Victor Arden-Phil Ohman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BS-74648 10-in. 12/8/1932 Isn't it a pity Victor Arden-Phil Ohman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BS-75343 10-in. 3/1/1933 My cousin in Milwaukee Roy Bargy ; Ramona Piano duet and instrumental ensemble, with female vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BS-77987 10-in. 9/25/1933 Till then Neil Buckley ; Don Bestor Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BS-78162 10-in. 10/11/1933 Let 'em eat cake Leo Reisman Orchestra ; Frank Luther Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BS-78163 10-in. 10/11/1933 Mine Phil Dewey ; Leo Reisman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor CS-78295 12-in. 10/27/1933 Let 'em eat cake Bob Lawrence ; Paul Whiteman Orchestra ; Ramona ; Rhythm Boys Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo, female-male vocal duet, and male vocal trio lyricist  
Victor BS-83378 10-in. 7/13/1934 Fun to be fooled Richard Himber ; Joey Nash ; Ritz-Carlton Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BS-83379 10-in. 7/13/1934 Let's take a walk around the block Richard Himber ; Joey Nash ; Ritz-Carlton Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
(Results 26-50 of 284 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Gershwin, Ira," accessed October 9, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/102148.

Gershwin, Ira. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/102148.

"Gershwin, Ira." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 October 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/102148

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