IRVING BERLIN

Irving Berlin has been called—by George Gershwin, among others—the greatest songwriter of the golden age of American popular song. James Kaplan, author of the Jewish Lives biography Irving Berlin: New York Genius, underscores Berlin’s unique brilliance as a composer, his witty, wily, and tough Jewish immigrant experience, and his continued relevance in American popular culture today. Music in this Episode: Ethel Merman - There's No Business Like Show Business Fred Astaire - Puttin' on the Ritz Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald - Cheek to Cheek Frank Sinatra - Cheek to Cheek Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett - Cheek to Cheek Bing Crosby - Play a Simple Melody Nat King Cole - I Love a Piano Billie Holiday - Isn't This a Lovely Day Kate Smith - God Bless America Sam Cooke - The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers on) Ethel Waters - Supper Time The Drifters - White Christmas Tony Bennett - When I Lost You Anita O'Day - Let's Face the Music and Dance Eva Cassidy - Blue Skies