From Shul to Cool : The Romantic Jewish Roots of American Popular Music

by Bassan, Jacqueline

• ISBN13: 9781889534664
• ISBN10: 1889534668
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-10-31
• Publisher: Jay Street Pub

Summary

How did they do it? How did Jews like Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Rodgers and Hart, the Gershwins, Jerome Kern and Leonard Bernstein, all of whom were part of a minority culture, go on to write the songs that became the sentimental favorites of the majority? Why did America develop such a strong affinity for the Jewish-authored melodies: Rhapsody in Blue, White Christmas, Jailhouse Rock, Oklahoma! Mack the Knife, Over the Rainbow, Take Me Out to the Ball Game; the Jewish lyrics: 'S Wonderful, I Could Have Danced All Night, Heart and Soul, God Bless America, Ain't She Sweet? They Can't Take That Away From Me, Happy Days Are Here Again, Blowin' in the Wind; the Jewish musicals: West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Hello, Dolly! Annie Get Your Gun, Camelot, Bye Bye Birdie, Man of La Mancha -- that became such apt expressions of 20th century American tastes and traditions? In contributing to the American Songbook, how did these artists come up with music of such passion, wit, poignancy and beauty?

Author Biography

Jacqueline Bassan received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University as a History major, with Distinction in All Subjects. She studied music theory at Brandeis University. After graduating from the Mt. Sinai Medical School (M.D. in 1982) Dr. Bassan chose to pursue a career in writing. Her articles on popular culture have been published in Los Angeles magazine, The Jewish Journal and Entrepreneur magazine (cover story). Jacqueline Bassan is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor

Table of Contents

Preface	p. 11
Rhapsody in Red White and Blue	p. 17
Emma Lazarus: America's First Torch Singer	p. 33
From Shul to Cool: Irving Berlin	p. 66
Klezmers in Camelot: Jerome Kern	p. 109
Klezmers in Camelot: George Gershwin	p. 134
Klezmers in Camelot: Richard Rodgers	p. 170
Klezmers in Camelot: Leonard Bernstein	p. 231
Klezmers in Camelot: Lerner and Loewe	p. 265
Jewish Soul and Inspiration: Kurt Weill, Harold Arlen, Benny Goodman	p. 294
Finale: American Dreamers	p. 339
Best Songs of the Century: The Top 18	p. 349
Bibliography	p. 351
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