George Gershwin

By the age of 30, George Gershwin had already established himself as one of America's most famous, and appreciated composers. He went to work at 15, when he dropped out of highschool to work for a publishing firm on Tin Pan Alley. There, he worked to promote songs for the publishing firm, by singing and playing piano for performers, to plug the songs. The first song to gain Gershwin wide recognition was Swanee, recorded by Al Jolson in 1920. From there on, he composed and performed, and was known for bringing jazz into the concert hall with works like Rhapsody in Blue.

(AP Photo)