What do “White Christmas,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” all have in common? They were all written by Jews. According to musician Ben Sidran, Jews helped shape the iconic American songbook, from George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, to Bob Dylan (aka Bob Zimmerman). The longtime jazz keyboard player and former NPR music host talks about his book, “There Was a Fire,” and the roots of American music.
Ben Sidran: How Jews Influenced American Music
(Marna Helli/Getty Images)
Guests:
Ben Sidran, jazz musician, singer, producer and composer; author of "There Was a Fire: Jews, Music and the American Dream;" and former host of NPR's "Sidran on Record" and "Jazz Alive"
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