Michael Jefry Stevens

Access the Michael Jefry Stevens library of compositions and arrangements

Michael has written hundreds of original compositions and arrangements for:

  • Small jazz combos
  • Large jazz ensembles
  • Voice
  • Classical strings, brass, and orchestra
Play this music for your school, your big band, or own jazz combo. The difficulty of these pieces ranges from basic to advanced, however, regardless of level, each arrangement has been written to provide a rewarding musical experience for all.

All music available on this site will be in PDF form. A file containing the PDF will be made available to you for download immediately after purchase.

"Stevens’ major virtue is his ability to write fresh, attractive melodies, but he’s also a provocative composer."

~ Harvey Pekar, Jazz Times Magazine

Original Lead Sheets

I have been leading my own ensembles for more than four decades. A large portion of my music is originally written as a lead sheet and most of these lead sheets have been performed and recorded by one or more of my various ensembles.
Browse the Lead Sheets

Combo Arrangements

These arrangements come directly from my working ensembles over my career that include The Fonda/Stevens Group, Conference Call, Eastern Boundary Quartet, Generations Quartet, Stevens – Siegel – Ferguson Trio, and many other musical configurations.
Browse the Arrangements

Big Band/Large Ensemble Arrangements

I began writing big band music as a member of the BMI Jazz Composer’s Workshop in the mid 1990’s. The charts range from a deep swing groove (The Money Thing, Jazz Tune) to more open musical forms (Renata, Metatron).
Browse the Arrangements

Chamber Music

Classical music has always been an integral part of my musical life. Over my career I have composed a variety of through composed pieces for voice, strings, brass, piano, woodwinds and a piece for small chamber orchestra.
Browse the Chamber Music

Vocal Charts

These vocal compositions span a wide range of styles including jazz swing, blues, ballad, latin, funk, rock and classical art song. Each piece can easily be transposed into the key of your choice.
Browse the Vocal Charts
See Michael's full collection of compositions and arrangements

Watch Michael create an arrangement from a lead sheet

Within this FREE eBook, Michael uses one of his lead sheets and step by step transforms it into a small group arrangement.

You can do many things with a lead sheet, from playing solo to writing a big band arrangement.

Watch an example of this transformation to show you how to make the most from a basic song outline.

Mountain Song

Style: jazz waltz

Grade: 3

I wrote this song while I was living in Brooklyn, NY and spending quite a bit of time in Woodstock, NY.  This is the closest thing to a “country music” song I have ever written.  This composition was recorded by myself and bassist Eliot Wadopian on our "Mountain Song" duo CD.  This piece is extremely playable at most levels!!!

Mountain Song

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

Alisiah

Style: Swing

Grade: 1

Alisiah is one of my earliest compositions. The tonality revolves around C major, F major and Eminor. It is a very simple medium tempo swing tune. Nothing fancy.  This piece was recorded on my "Duets" CD with vibraphonist Jason DeCristofaro.

Alisiah

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

For My Brother

Style: Ballad

Grade: 2

The harmonies move quite slowly in this ballad.  The most challenging aspect of the piece are the 2/4 bars.  This ballad was recorded on Jon Hemmersam's "Remembering" CD release which also featured Dave Liebman and Rakalam Bob Moses.

For My Brother

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

Lei’s Song

Style: Waltz

Grade: 2

This is one of my favorite compositions.  Written in 3/4 time, but with phrases grouped in three’s, four’s and other odd groupings this is a very unique piece.  Also, it is made up entirely of minor 7 chords.  The Fonda/Stevens Group recorded this tune on our CD "The Healing".

Lei’s Song

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

The Beauty That We Are

Style: Ballad

Grade: 1

This ballad is quite easy to play.  The changes move very slowly giving the student plenty of time to navigate the harmonic landscape.

The Beauty That We Are

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

The Moffett Family

Style: Blues

Grade: 2

This piece was composed in the early 1980's and dedicated to Charnett Moffett and his family band. I played with the band for one year. The tune is a simple form containing only dominant chords. The feel is very bluesy.

The Moffett Family

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

Red’s Blues

Style: Blues, swing

Grade: 2

This is a very simple “swing” composition with a bluesy feel but not in a Blues form. The changes are very simple. The head is a question-and-answer with the melody and the rhythm section.  A good piece to introduce the blues scale to students. Released on my "Red's Blues" CD.

Red’s Blues

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

Song for Rio

Style: Latin

Grade: 3

I wrote this bossa nova after visiting Rio in 1999.  The form is quite long and the bridge is very chromatic.  The piece is highly melodic and quite fun to play.  The "Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson Trio" recorded this tune on our "Six" CD release.

Song for Rio

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

Memorial

Style: Latin

Grade: 4

This piece features a Latin feel written out in the piano part.  The changes are pretty standard and move slowly enough for the student to navigate quite easily. The bridge of the tune is a fun release from all the harmonic movement in the beginning section of the composition.  The "Stevens, Siegel & Ferguson Trio" recorded this composition on our "Panorama" CD which featured Valery Ponomarev on trumpet.

Memorial

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

The Innocence of Spring

Style: Swing

Grade: 4

This medium swing tune consists of an extended melody and long form.  The harmonies are very chromatic and include some hybrid chordal structures as well.  The piece is challenging but worth the effort.  I recorded this on my "The Innocence of Spring" CD with saxophonist Don Aliquo.

The Innocence of Spring

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

Kulturshock

Style: Swing

Grade: 5

This is a very adventurous composition. The harmonies are very difficult and the rhythms are quite unusual. A great challenge for the advanced player.  I wrote this piece shortly after moving from Brooklyn, NY to Memphis, TN.  That was quite a culture shock!!!

Kulturshock

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

Four Wheeler

Style: Swing

Grade: 2

This composition is an open swing feel featuring a chromatic chord sequence and several polychords.  The changes move quickly making the piece difficult for the soloist to navigate. The melody is not difficult but overall the piece is challenging.  This is dedicated to the great trumpeter Kenny Wheeler.

Four Wheeler

Original price was: $4.95.Current price is: $2.49.

Add to Cart
Hear the piece...

The Beauty That We Are

Style: ballad
Grade: 2

This ballad is quite easy to play.  The changes move very slowly giving the student plenty of time to navigate the harmonic landscape.

[sc_embed_player_template1 fileurl="https://michaeljefrystevens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/the-beauty-that-we-are.mp3"]