Roger Browne is a professional raconteur, writer, director and pianist. He has appeared in jazz clubs and jazz festivals in the UK, Europe and across North America and Canada, and provided piano accompaniment for many national and international legends such as Stefane Grappelli, Humphrey Lyttleton, George Melly, George Chisholm, and many more.

In this talk, he focuses on the history, roots, and influences of “The Great American Songbook”, the lives and fascinating backs stories of the composers, lyricists and publishers who created this iconic genre during the first half of the Twentieth Century.

He discusses the influence of Jewish Immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe to New York, who went on to form what became known as Tin Pan Alley.

The talk covers the roots such as: blues, music hall. ragtime, operetta, variety shows, minstrel music, jazz, classical music,

Expect hilarious anecdotes, incredible facts, and superb piano playing.

The presentation includes live performances of the compositions of Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, and others.