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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 1-25 of 271 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-24141 10-in. 5/21/1920 Waiting for the sun to come out Lambert Murphy Male vocal solo, with violin duet and orchestra lyricist  
Victor CVE-34614 12-in. 2/12/1926 Gems from Tip-toes The Revelers Mixed vocal chorus and soloists, with 2 pianos lyricist  
Victor BVE-36090 10-in. 9/2/1926 Why do ya roll those eyes (¿Por qué me haces ojos?) Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio lyricist  
Victor BVE-36653 10-in. 10/29/1926 Do, do, do Gertrude Lawrence Female vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Victor BVE-36654 10-in. 10/29/1926 Someone to watch over me Gertrude Lawrence Female vocal solo, with piano (takes 1-3); with 2 pianos (take 4) lyricist  
Victor BVE-36910 10-in. 11/6/1926 Do-do-do George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio lyricist  
Victor BVE-37119 10-in. 12/10/1926 Maybe Franklyn Baur Male vocal solo, with 2 pianos lyricist  
Victor BVE-37507 10-in. 1/4/1927 Sunny disposish Frank Crumit Male vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Victor BVE-37599 10-in. 2/3/1927 Sunny disposish Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet lyricist  
Victor CVE-37723 12-in. 1/14/1927 Gems from Oh, Kay! The Revelers Vocal chorus and soloists, with 2 pianos lyricist  
Victor BVE-39184 10-in. 9/15/1927 The man I love Gene Austin Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble lyricist  
Victor BVE-40507 10-in. 10/25/1927 'S wonderful Frank Crumit Male vocal solo, with violin and piano lyricist  
Victor BVE-41134 10-in. 12/2/1927 My one and only (What am I gonna do) Johnny Johnson ; Statler Pennsylvanians Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio lyricist  
Victor BVE-41147 10-in. 12/7/1927 He loves and she loves B.F. Goodrich Silvertown Cord Orchestra ; Joseph M. Knecht Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BVE-41151 10-in. 12/8/1927 Funny face Arden-Ohman Orchestra ; Johnny Marvin Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BVE-41152 10-in. 12/8/1927 'S wonderful Arden-Ohman Orchestra ; Johnny Marvin Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BVE-41154 10-in. 12/8/1927 My one and only (What am I gonna do) Jane Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble lyricist  
Victor BVE-41185 10-in. 12/19/1927 The man I love Grace Hayes Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble lyricist  
Victor BVE-41346 10-in. 12/8/1927 The man I love Marion Harris Female vocal solo, with violin, guitar, and piano lyricist  
Victor BVE-41584 10-in. 1/26/1928 Oh gee! Oh joy! Johnny Johnson ; Statler Pennsylvanians Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio lyricist  
Victor BVE-41585 10-in. 1/26/1928 Say so Johnny Johnson ; Statler Pennsylvanians Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio lyricist  
Victor CVE-43534 12-in. 4/5/1928 Selections from 'Funny face' Arden-Ohman Orchestra ; Victor Arden ; Phil Ohman Piano duet, with orchestra and male vocal chorus and soloist lyricist  
Victor BVE-48194 10-in. 11/22/1928 Got a rainbow Arden-Ohman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet lyricist  
Victor BVE-48195 10-in. 11/22/1928 Feeling I'm falling Arden-Ohman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor BVE-53499 10-in. 7/9/1929 Liza Leo Reisman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
(Results 1-25 of 271 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Gershwin, Ira," accessed March 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102148.

Gershwin, Ira. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102148.

"Gershwin, Ira." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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