Michael Jefry Stevens

Enjoy Michael's new digital album, Precipice

Planet Earth is hurting.  I don’t see how any conscious human being could dispute this fact.  Most of the music on this CD I composed as a direct result of my concern for humanity. 

The Precipice refers to this historic time on our planet Earth.  Climate change, floods, rampant fires, extreme weather, Covid, unemployment, homelessness: All these 21st-century problems and more.  I believe humanity is sitting on a precipice.  Our very survival is at stake.  I don’t know what will happen, but I worry about the children.  

I hope you enjoy this recording.  The players are magnificent.  Christian Howes brings so much depth, spirit and talent to my music.  He is really in a class by himself.  Bryan McConnell is an extraordinary bassist.  He made those difficult bass lines sound easy to play.  They are NOT!!!!

Rick Dilling is a magician on the drums.  He is constantly listening!!!!!  You just can’t ask for more than that.

Precipice from Michael Jefry Stevens

Here are three bonuses you'll get with your purchase of Precipice...

1. By purchasing the digital album, you will get the tracks as both MP3 as well as high resolution WAV files.

2. You will also get any two of Michael’s nearly 100 lead sheets for free. These lead sheets cover a broad range of melodic and harmonic difficulty and styles. To browse through Michael’s lead sheets, go to the lead sheet page here. Choose any two that you wish. A one-time use coupon code will be given to you at checkout.

3. You will also be able to instantly download Michael’s eBook entitled Lead Sheet Transformation.

This guide will show you how to make the most of any lead sheet, from simply using it learn a song to transforming it into a combo or big band arrangement. Make the most from the free and purchased lead sheets you’ll get from MichaelJefryStevens.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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