Michael Feinstein Gershwin Melody

Rosie meets Gershwin...Clooney sings "But Not For Me"

ROSEMARY CLOONEY

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Gershwin's Greatest Love Songs ?

Here from a Jazz Festival in Japan is Rosemary Clooney singing one of the great love songs of The Great American Songbook.  The song is "But Not For Me," from George and Ira Gershwin. Rosemary's home on Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills  (now demolished) had been the last home of George Gershwin (circa 1937). Her next door neighbor was George's brother, and lyricist, Ira. One of her best CD's is the "Songs of Ira Gershwin."

George Gershwin plays Gershwin ('I Got Rhythm')

Here is a 1931 film of George Gershwin playing his composition, "I Got Rhythm' from "Girl Crazy"

The 'Girl Crazy' pit band featured Glenn Miller

“Girl Crazy,” the George and Ira Gershwin Broadway musical premiered in 1930  The original production starred Ethel Merman (photo) in her debut, and Ginger Rogers.

Ethel Merman became an overnight sensation when she stopped the show with "I Got Rhythm." George Gershwin, supposedly visited her the day after the opening to congratulate her and to advise her to "never take another singing lesson...don't let anyone change you... just keep doing what you are doing!"

 To fans of the big bands, the orchestra for the 1930 show is of great interest. The band in the pit for the original Broadway production was known for its richness of talents: Red Nichols, Jack Teagarden, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Gene Krupa!  Glenn Miller put the group together, including his roommate from the Ben Pollack band days in California....BG.

More than ten years later, MGM filmed 'Girl Crazy' with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.