The Great American Songbook

The video explores the Great American Songbook, a collection of influential songs from the early 1900s, created by talented songwriters in New York's Tin Pan Alley. It highlights the cultural melting pot of Manhattan's Flower District, where various music styles merged. The Songbook provided solace during tough times like World War One and the Great Depression. Many songs were penned by Jewish immigrants, including Irving Berlin, who fled persecution in Europe. The music, including classics like 'God Bless America,' remains a testament to the era's historical impact on American music.

What is meant by the term 'Great American Songbook'?

What role did Jewish immigrants play in the creation of the Great American Songbook?