Today in history, on February 12, 1924, a groundbreaking event took place at Aeolian Hall in New York City. The jazz composition ‘Rhapsody in Blue ‘, a unique blend of solo piano and jazz band, premiered with the talented George Gershwin himself on the piano. This piece was a significant part of a concert titled ‘An Experiment in Modern Music.’

Paul Whiteman, bandleader of the Palais Royal Orchestra, organized the concert to introduce jazz to the concert hall. He commissioned Gershwin, a Broadway composer, for a piece. Gershwin refused until Whiteman convinced him a rival bandleader was planning a competing concert. Gershwin didn’t know how to orchestrate music, so Whiteman’s arranger, Ferde Grofé, helped. They worked together page by page and actively edited the music as they experimented, such as adding an improvised clarinet glissando to the opening.

‘Rhapsody in Blue’ was an instant hit with the audience. However, critics had mixed reactions. Some hailed its originality, appreciating the fusion of jazz and classical music, while others criticized its technical qualities, particularly its orchestration. Despite this, Paul Whiteman championed the rhapsody, and his band continued playing it, even adopting it as their theme song. A recording of the piece sold a million copies, and the sheet music even more.

Gershwin’s talent, Whiteman’s collaboration, and the audience’s enthusiasm for “Rhapsody in Blue” launched jazz from the nightclubs to the concert halls. The song proved that jazz was an art form while celebrating its multicultural roots. Gershwin became a successful composer, writing “Concerto in F” for the New York Symphony in 1925.