The Great American Songbook (According to Jane Monheit)
The Great American Songbook (According to Jane Monheit)
The Great American Songbook! The term has been thrown around by musicians for decades, but what exactly does this "Songbook" contain?
Though sometimes mistaken for an actual book, the term, also referred to as "American Standards," is comprised of a loose selection of songs from the 1920s-1950s that have become classics throughout popular culture, particularly through means of Hollywood films and Broadway theatre. Many music theorists list Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter and Harold Arlen as significant contributing composers.
Grammy-nominated Jane Monheit has built her career on these staples, evoking the jazz genre in a new age. Not only does her discography demonstrate her devotion to America's classics, but her philanthropic efforts help students excel at the Great American Songbook Foundation, a nonprofit organization that archives musical material for educational purposes.
Take a look at some of Jane Monheit's interpretations of the Great American Songbook: