i hear a rhapsody bill evans transcription

I Hear a Rhapsody: A Look into the World of Jazz Sheet Music

Bill Evans, one of the most iconic jazz pianists, once transcribed the song 'I Hear a Rhapsody' for his own performance. This process of reharmonizing and rearranging the original sheet music is a crucial aspect of jazz composition, particularly when it comes to standards written in the 1920s, '30s, and '40s.

Many people may not know that some prolific composers, like Irving Berlin, were unable to write out piano scores. This means that other artists often had to interpret and arrange these songs for their own performances. In the case of 'I Hear a Rhapsody,' McCoy Tyner, a renowned jazz pianist, took original sheet music and reharmonized it to fit the style of his session.

The world of jazz sheet music is vast and rich, with many songs being published in piano/vocal scores or as single sheets with colorful covers. These anthologies were once easily accessible at stores like Colony Music in Manhattan, which unfortunately closed its doors in 2012.

In recent years, Mike Kanan, a fellow musician and friend, has shared his extensive collection of jazz sheet music with me. This collection includes original published scores, photocopied from libraries, and anthology songbooks. We have spent countless hours pouring over these sheets, uncovering hidden harmonies and secrets that lie within.

The phrase 'Tin Pan Alley' refers to the area in New York City where many music publishers were concentrated. During its heyday, sheet music was a thriving business, with nearly all songs being published in piano/vocal scores. These songs were often written for musical theater, movies, and other forms of entertainment.

In conclusion, 'I Hear a Rhapsody' is just one example of the countless jazz standards that have been reharmonized and rearranged over the years. Through the process of transcription, jazz musicians like Bill Evans continue to breathe new life into these timeless classics.

I hear a rhapsody bill evans transcription