George Gershwin´s legacy transcends that of nearly any other musical figure in the twentieth century. Beginning in his teens, the energetic prodigy moved with an unparalleled versatility and speed through the worlds of Tin Pan Alley, Broadway & Hollywood, classical music, blues, jazz and ultimately grand opera.

At the time of his sudden, premature death in 1937 at the age of 38, George Gershwin had revolutionized American music, leaving a popular song catalogue of immortal standards(“I Got Rhythm,” “Swanee,” “Embraceable You,” “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” “A Foggy Day In London Town,” “They Can´t Take That Away From Me”), the symphonic masterworks “RHAPSODY IN BLUE” and “AN AMERICAN IN PARIS;” and the greatest of American operas, PORGY & BESS.

Bookish lyricist Ira Gershwin was less flamboyant than his glamorous, outgoing brother; but he is considered in all quarters to be one of the great American lyricists. After his brother´s death, Ira continued to turn out standards in collaboration with such giants as Jerome Kern(“Long Ago And Far Away”), Kurt Weill(LADY IN THE DARK) and Harold Arlen(“The Man That Got Away”).

The magic of the Gershwin name reflects unsurpassed achievement, predominantly that of the fabled younger brother George, perhaps the one authentic genius in an Age awash in mere talent.

Pianist/Singer/Lecturer Fred Miller has spent the last several decades in many musical fields including grand opera, musical comedy, classical piano and chamber music. However, his current professional life revolves around American Popular Song.  Each of his more than seventy(70) Lectures-In-Song is a full 60-75 minute musical program profiling a great personality or important facet of American Popular Song. Fred presents them at libraries, retirement villages, arts organizations and scores of private venues throughout New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.  Fred is also the founder and director of the Copper Penny Players, a ten week singing class for amateur singers that, after 40+ years, is now something of a Delaware Valley institution.