OSHER 557 - American Popular Song from 1955 to 1995

This class covers the American Songbook from 1955-1995, continuing the theme that Wayne Egan has previously taught for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. During these years, gifted songwriters added to the canon. The class will feature short introductions and live performances of many of their songs, performed on the Monson Center Steinway (often accompanied by string bass). The roster of first-rate songwriting talent will include: Cy Coleman, Henry Mancini, Jule Styne, Johnny Mandel, Burton Lane, Tommy Wolf (often in collaboration with lyricist Fran Landeman), Stephen Sondheim, Marvin Hamlisch, and Billy Joel. To round out the list, we will also listen to some non-American songs of the era, from composers Michel Legrand, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Lennon and McCartney.