Paul Whiteman talks about George Gershwin

Paul Whiteman talks about George Gershwin and the Rhapsody In Blue.

[@robertrouzaud9814]

I’ve been in love with Gershwin’s music since I first heard the Rhapsody in my first year of high school in 1972. A real original; his music is like no one else’s. It’s like Gershwin’s.

[@annpowers6363]

Truly awesome hearing Paul Whiteman himself telling the story of Rhapsody in Blue. Whiteman was a very engaging speaker. Whiteman should be given a lot more credit for his contribution to American music.

[@jazzgirl1920s]

Unfair Whiteman suffered so much criticism because a publicist dreamed up the King of Jazz title, I talked to Whiteman on the phone in the 1960’s and he told me about two other books besides his 1926 Jazz that I didn’t know about but since have searched for and found,. One is Whiteman’s Burden from around 1930 written by his wife Margaret Livingston about Paul trying to lose weight and one about how to be a bandleader. Forget the King of Jazz title and concentrate on Whiteman’s immense contributions to American music for decades. I enjoy hearing from you and all the other posters who appreciate this recording and Whiteman’s contributions. I would like to sincerely thank all of you.

[@LNei]

To hear the KIng himself tell the story is beyond a treasure... it's priceless. Thank you so much for posting.

[@mikedinken8020]

You can say that again

[@jazzgirl1920s]

I really wanted to upload this to my channel and I am happy so many listeners have enjoyed this and gotten the historical information straight from Whiteman himself about one of the most beloved and important compositions in American musical history.

[@siriami]

This was a Tony Thomas production from 1961 for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the version of it I have is on a Delos/Facet CD "George Gershwin Remembered" : number D/CD 8100 (1987 release). Arthur Schwartz, Oscar Levant, Fred Astaire and Alfred Newman are also interviewed.

[@jstreby7879]

I have it too, sensational!

[@BroadwayG]

OMG! This is amazing to hear the "real" back story of the creation of the rhapsody. So many historians got it not quite right. Interesting because I just acquired a photo of Whiteman and also autograph. Kudos for bringing it to the public, Thank you.

[@jazzgirl1920s]

This recording has historical importance giving details about one of the most beloved and important composition in the history of American music and I had to share this for all to hear. Thank you for your appreciative comment.

[@rickweintraub3341]

George Gershwin was a true genius.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

I love that photo of Whiteman being crowned "king" of jazz, especially how skeptical and almost disgusted he looks!!! Fantastic! I always wonder how seriously Mr. Whiteman took himself... certainly he took his music seriously, and he loved his great sidemen (and ladies) in the band, but himself? I don't know! Excellent audio quality! Thanks for posting this!

[@magnusbanghansen4384]

Wonderfull to experince ordinary people making history. To hear Paul Whitemann talk himself about George Gerswin ! I sit here in tiny Denmark and enjoy my lifelong interest in american swingmusic - and suddenly I find thid pear. Thanks for posting it.

[@victrolaman100]

@jazzgirl1920s I sat spell bound! Have always loved Paul Whiteman Have many of his records.

[@gregorypalmer5403]

Whiteman should be more remembered today. A genius. And when he wasn't he was just plain old spot on. Kudos also to Ferde Grofe, fine composer but making better money working for a band. Rachmaninoff was there! And Deems Taylor and Olin Downes loved it ! How cool.

[@JoaoFurtadoCoelho777]

Thanks for this important, fascinating upload!... Shared on Google+

[@Kodaigon72]

I always wondered what he sounded like, this is fascinating!

[@scotnick59]

He had a very pleasant voice

[@ruthhellkamp926]

What a treasure to hear this rare tutorial.

[@bigcity233]

@victrolaman100 I was totally spell bound also!! I'm a long-time collector. This is such an important historically significant document of Gershwin and his closest contemporaries who worked with him and knew him intimately. I hope the complete documentary can be found! By the way, Paul Whiteman sounded very likable in this interview - sophisticated and smart - but also a regular guy who could joke about his weight!

[@salexlindsay]

Wow, thanks for sharing the treasure!

[@likemyviolin]

Great, thanks!

[@petereccles1436]

Rhapsody in blue

[@thardingau]

I'm not aware of any question as to who wrote it - it was George Gershwin.

[@Mike20216]

Fascinating.

[@JamesIrwins78s]

Amazing, both to hear the background and to hear probably what is the first version played of this tune, thanks!

[@radiojoe]

Amazing interview! When was it done and who is the interviewer?

[@ChrisBigBoy]

I think the interview or a similar one is on a Gershwin CD, I remember seeing a comment about it, probably a search on amazon.com for "gershwin plays gershwin" or "gershwin whiteman" would find it.

[@voiceguy1]

Hello! What a fabulous history! Who is the interviewer and what program was that in? Thanks!

[@jstreby7879]

1961, by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, when Whiteman was 71 years old but possessed of a great memory and highly articulate. He died 6 years later just 3 months before reaching the age of 78.

[@karenboone5226]

my grandpa Harvey Boone was with he played sax and i play piano

[@manufacturedbeats]

What was the original source material for this talk? If you have any info on it i could really use it for a term paper I'm writing! thanks!

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Pedro Martinez I second the request for more info on the primary source document. I'd also like to hear the rest of the interview with Mr. Whiteman about other things and people.

[@James_Bowie]

I've never heard anyone else refer to this piece as "the" Rhapsody in Blue.

[@Kroonerguy]

What year was this from ?

[@macvoutie]

1961 interview.

[@michaelmcgee8543]

What year was this interview was recorded?

[@Women_Rock]

Michael Mcgee 1961

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Also, who was the competing orchestra, that was originally going to beat Whiteman to the "first jazz concert"? I am really curious what that band was, and if their concert came to pass.

[@stevecatanzaro974]

Vincent Lopez was the competitor

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Thanks! Did Lopez ever venture anything symphonic like this?

[@andrewbarrett1537]

*whether he composed it or not

[@henrytheinnocentviii7871]

I've always wondered how tall Whiteman was. What was he? 5 11? 6 feet?

[@michaelmcgee8543]

A Pretty girl is like a meklody ,they'lle haunt you night and day!

[@lawsonj39]

Too bad Gershwin never equalled RiB again. He did many fine things, but the Rhapsody is in a class by itself.

[@StevenTorrey]

Al Bowlly also had a role in King of Jazz, but for some reason, it ended up on the cutting room floor. It would be interesting to see what his contribution was. (I'm not sure if that info is correct. I'm sure someone will correct me, if I am wrong.)

[@peteratkinson922]

I think Al Bowlly was being periodically employed by band leaders recording in Britain in 1930, having arrived in London, via Africa, India and Europe. He went to America with Ray Noble in 1935.

[@ClassicCabFrance]

Wow, should it be called historical ?