The Great American Songbook
Who
A shared canon rather than one author; many of its leading composers — Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart — were Jewish-American.
When
1920s–1950s
Where
United States
The Great American Songbook is the informal canon of the most influential American popular songs and jazz standards of the early-to-mid 20th century. A striking share of its leading composers and lyricists — including Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart — were Jewish-Americans, many the children of immigrants. Their songs shaped the sound of American popular music and are still performed worldwide.
Part of “The Gifts of the Jews” — verified Jewish contributions to the world, with sources.