Ferde Grofé

Ferde Grofé (1892–1972) was an American composer, arranger, and pianist best known for his "Grand Canyon Suite" and his arrangements of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." He was born in New York City to German-born parents and received his musical training from his father, Franz Grofé.

Grofé's career took off after he joined Paul Whiteman's Orchestra in 1924 as a pianist and arranger. He made a name for himself as an arranger of popular music, writing arrangements for some of Whiteman's most popular songs, such as "Wang Wang Blues," "Fascinatin' Rhythm," and "Rhapsody in Blue."

Grofé's most well-known work is his 1931 composition, "Grand Canyon Suite." This suite of six movements captures the beauty of the Grand Canyon with its sweeping orchestral melodies and harmonies. Other popular compositions by Grofé include "Mississippi Suite," "Hollywood Suite," and "American in Paris."

One interesting fact about Ferde Grofé is that he was the first person to arrange a symphonic version of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." This arrangement has since become a classic and is one of the most performed pieces of classical music in the world.

Grofé's music continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world. His work has been recorded by numerous artists, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra. He is remembered for his pioneering work in the jazz and popular music genres.