George Gershwin-9

American composer George Gershwin began his career in popular music -- he was a 'song plugger', his job was to sell new music. He worked in a part of New York City called 'Tin Pan Alley',  where many music publishers had offices.  He also studied classical music and wrote some of the most well known American music of the twentieth century: Rhapsody in Blue, Porgy and Bess, and An American in Paris. Here is some of his music:

I Got Rhythm- performed by George Gershwin

An American in Paris

Summertime (from the opera Porgy and Bess)

THIS IS THE LAST COMPOSER OF THE WEEK ENTRY UNTIL JANUARY 2017. 

Gabriela Lena Frank - 8

American composer Gabriella Frank was born in California in 1972. She is an active composer writing new music everyday! Her music has been commissioned (she was asked to create new music) and performed by The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Los Angeles Orchestra, and The King's Singers just to name a few. She is also an excellent pianist and has made several recordings. Listen to these examples of her music:

Coqueteos

Danza Peruana

Los Sombras de la Apus

and this is an interesting interview with the composer