History of South America

What is the origin of term The Great American Songbook?

The term "The Great American Songbook" was first used in 1972 by Charles Hamm, a professor of music history at Princeton University. Hamm defined the Great American Songbook as "a collection of songs that are widely known and loved by the American public." He identified the core of the Great American Songbook as consisting of songs written between the 1920s and the 1950s by such composers as George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and Jerome Kern.

The Great American Songbook is a unique body of music that reflects the cultural history of the United States. The songs in the Great American Songbook are about love, loss, joy, sorrow, hope, and despair. They are about the American experience.

The Great American Songbook has been performed and recorded by some of the greatest singers in history, including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong. These songs have been featured in countless movies and television shows, and they have been enjoyed by generations of Americans.

The Great American Songbook is a valuable part of American culture. It is a testament to the creativity and artistry of the American people.