In p. 2 of Whiteman's obituary, there is a photo of Paul with Ferde Grofe, George Gerswhin, Deems Taylor and Blossom Seeley. I will explain below the connection between the five people. But first a bit about Deems Taylor.
Deems Taylor. He was a composer and music critic for the New York World, "a promoter of classical music throughout his life, working in broadcasting and as intermission commentator for the New York Philharmonic. He appeared in Walt Disney's 1940 film Fantasia as the film's Master of Ceremonies, and was instrumental in selecting the musical pieces that were used in the film." (From Wikipedia). He was president of ASCAP for six years. As a tribute to him, ASCAP established the "ASCAP Deems Taylor Award."
ASCAP Deems Taylor Awards (From the ASCAP website)
The ASCAP Deems Taylor Awards program recognizes books, articles, broadcasts and websites on the subject of music selected for their excellence. The Awards were established in 1967 to honor the memory of composer/critic/commentator Deems Taylor who died in 1966 after a distinguished career that included six years as President of ASCAP.
The late Richard Sudhalter was the recipient of two ASCAP Deems Taylor Awards. In the year 2000, Richard received a Special Recognition award for his monumental work "Lost Chords." In 2003, Richard's Stardust Melody: The Life and Music of Hoagy Carmichael was cited as Outstanding Musical Biography.
The connection between the five people in the photo. On Dec 29, 1925, Paul Whiteman presented in Carnegie Hall his Second Experiment in Modern American Music. Here are the numbers associated with each of the people in the photo.
Deems Taylor. His composition "Circus Day" was one of the features of the program..
Ferde Grofe. His composition "Mississippi Suite" was another feature of the program.
George Gershwin. His 1922 one-act opera "Blue Monday" was reorchestrated by Ferde Grofe and retitled "135th Street."
Blossom Seeley. She acted, with her vaudeville partner Benny Fields, in the performance of Gershwin's "135th Street."