(1898–1937), US composer and pianist; born Jacob Gershovitz. He achieved success in 1919 with the song “Swanee” and went on to compose many successful songs and musicals, as well as Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American in Paris (1928) for orchestra and an opera, Porgy and Bess (1935). The lyrics for many of these were written by his brother Ira Gershwin (1896–1983).