george gershwin died in 1937, just days after doctors learned he had brain cancer. he died while having surgery to remove the brain tumor. he was only thirty-eight years old. newspapers all over the world reported his death on their front pages. everyone mourned the loss of the man and all the music he might have written. gershwin is still considered one of america's greatest composers. his works still are performed by many singers and groups. they are probably performed more often than any other serious american composer.