Michael Jefry Stevens

Study music with Michael Jefry Stevens

"“You are still the teacher that I compare all other teachers to. You are also the teacher that I try to be the most like. I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve given me.."
Colin Stack
Composer/Educator
"Michael has an insightful way of recognizing the individual strengths of his musicians, and creating opportunities for them to reach their highest level of performance.”
Jens Christian Jensen
Royal Academy of Music
"Michael is one of the most generous teachers I’ve ever had: generous with his incredible musicality and knowledge, generous with his time, and generous with his heart."
Amy Kohn
NYC composer/vocalist/pianist
"“It was studying with Michael Jefry Stevens that enabled me to set the foundation for how to compose, improvise, and navigate the world of jazz and creative music. His vast knowledge, experience, and encouragement provided me with a road map that has influenced my entire career."
Amanda Monaco
Associate Professor of Music at Berklee College

Michael has taught piano, improvisation, and composition throughout the world.

He was artist in residence for at EMU Conservatory in La Plata, Argentina between 2005 and 2010, and has taught at the Royal Academy of Music in Denmark, Sibelius Academy in Finland, University of Michigan, Indiana University, and many other educational institutions in Europe, Latin America and North America. 

He has lead school clinics and masterclasses for both high schools and universities and currently is on the music faculty of East Tennessee State University where he teaches jazz piano, theory, improvisation, jazz history and composition.

How can Michael help you?

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Jazz, blues,
and popular piano
ages 12 to adult

Michael's specialty is jazz and teaches all instruments in all styles of improvised music.
Contact Michael to talk about piano lessons

Composition & Arranging

Learn all aspects of composition within the various styles of your choosing.

Learn form, harmony, texture, rhythm, and arranging
Contact Michael to talk about learning composition

Clinics & Masterclasses

Michael provides an engaging interactive learning experience for high school and university students.

His extensive library of ensemble charts can fit into any skill level.
Contact Michael for school clinics

Get Michael's free leadsheet tutorial

Click or tap the cover image to download the free eBook called Lead sheet Transformation to see step-by-step how Michael transforms one of his lead sheets into a cool combo arrangement. Learn to do the same for yourself with any of Michael 100 lead sheets. 

Explore all of Michael's Music

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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