Composers Corner

Irving Berlin

Russian born Irving Berlin came to America at the age of 4yr. Growing up in New York he worked as a newsboy, street singer and singing writer, who eventually taught himself to improvise at the piano. He had a unique gift for melody, and played only on the black keys of the piano. During his 101years, he wrote over 1,500 songs, plus, stage and film scores which include Top Hat and Annie Get Your Gun.

Irving Berlin was born in 1888 and died in 1989.