An American bandleader and composer, Paul Whiteman (1890–1967) was a pivotal figure in popularizing jazz and "symphonic jazz" during the 1920s. Leading one of the most successful dance bands of his era, he commissioned George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and introduced many jazz standards to a wider audience, earning him the title "King of Jazz." His orchestral arrangements and innovative approach significantly shaped the sound of early 20th-century American music.