 His classical training substantially influenced the way in which he approached "Modern Music"; most famously, Whiteman's performance at Aeolian Hall in 1924 showcased the transformation he helped pioneer.Concluding this noteworthy show with George Gershwin's famous composition (and perhaps the best example of symphonic jazz) "Rhapsody in Blue", Whiteman's performance is often cited as the event that signifies the arrival of jazz from a folk music to an art form.The showmanship and innovation Whiteman exhibited earned him the moniker "King of Jazz," though with this title there is a good deal of controversy associated.