Easy To Love (You'd Be So Easy To Love) [Jazz version] (from Born To Dance) (arr. Brent Edstrom): Piano Vocal

Brent Edstrom's jazz treatment gives this Porter standard fresh rhythmic energy while preserving the melodic elegance that makes it instantly recognizable. The arrangement sits comfortably in a jazz vocal context without requiring extensive reharmonization, making it accessible for singers who want to explore swing interpretation without abandoning Porter's sophisticated harmonic foundation.

The song balances tender vulnerability with urbane charm. There's an intimate quality to the melody, supported by the jazz voicings that give it contemporary sophistication without sacrificing Porter's original emotional truth.

Jazz singers preparing a cabaret set or vocal jazz recital will find this arrangement both musically substantial and immediately performable. Pianists accompanying vocalists in a jazz context benefit from the clear harmonic progression and rhythmic framework Edstrom provides.

• Balance the vocal melody against the accompaniment by thinking of the piano part as conversational rather than supportive; Porter's lyrics demand clarity, so the pianist should lay back slightly on busier passages.
• Approach the phrasing with attention to breath; the song's arc depends on understanding where natural phrase boundaries fall, which may differ from what notation alone suggests.
• Lock into the specific groove the arranger has established from the first measure; rubato works against the jazz aesthetic here, so maintain a steady pulse even during moments that feel expansive vocally.

This works beautifully in a jazz standards concert or as an opener for a vocal recital that mixes classical and popular repertoire. It's also valuable in a teaching scenario where you want to show students how a great song translates across musical idioms while maintaining its essential character.

• Swing interpretation and jazz phrasing
• Reading jazz chord changes and improvisation framework
• Balancing legit vocal technique with jazz inflection
• Understanding melodic and harmonic relationships in Porter's compositional style
• Accompanying singers through changing harmonic density