Tin Pan Alley refers to a specific area in New York City, particularly around West 28th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, known for its music publishing industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term originally described the sound of many pianos playing simultaneously in the numerous music publishing houses located there, creating a cacophony reminiscent of tin pans. During its peak, Tin Pan Alley was the birthplace of many popular songs and musical styles, influencing American music significantly. It was home to famous songwriters like George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, who contributed to the development of genres such as ragtime and jazz.