Steve Ross

When Jerome Kern was asked about what place Irving Berlin held in American music his reply was “He has no place in American music, he IS American music.” What better way to celebrate America than a program of this prolific composer’s wonderful songs – ranging from the lively vaudeville numbers like his first great hit 'Alexander’s Ragtime Band' through the beautiful, heartbreaking ballads like 'How Deep Is the Ocean' to the dazzling rhythmic dancing songs written for Fred Astaire 'Puttin’ On the Ritz.' There will be many stops on Broadway and Hollywood in-between, including ragtime visits to that Yankee Doodle Dandy himself, George M. Cohan.