Love Is Here To Stay (from An American In Paris): E-Z Play Today

This arrangement captures a standard that sits perfectly between formal recital and jazz repertoire, giving pianists access to sophisticated harmony without requiring advanced improvisation skills. The E-Z Play Today series strips away unnecessary complexity while preserving the harmonic language that makes this tune endure, making it an intelligent choice for students ready to explore jazz standards but not yet improvising.

Warm, conversational, and deeply optimistic. The melody unfolds with the unhurried confidence of someone stating a simple truth, while the underlying harmony suggests both sophistication and genuine emotion. This is music that trusts restraint.

Students who have moved beyond beginner method books and want exposure to authentic jazz standards. This works equally well for intermediate pianists developing jazz vocabulary and for singers seeking a solid piano foundation that respects both the melody and harmonic sophistication of Gershwin's composition.

• Shape the melody with subtle dynamic peaks rather than mechanical phrasing; the tune rewards a singing approach even on piano
• Experiment with rubato in the introduction and between sections to create space for the harmony to breathe
• Balance accompaniment texture so the chord changes remain clear without overwhelming the vocal line if sung with the arrangement

Pair this with other Gershwin standards to build a thematic recital around American composers, or use it as a bridge piece for students transitioning from classical to jazz contexts. It also serves as accessible repertoire for student jazz combos that need a strong melodic anchor.

• Reading jazz chord symbols and understanding voice leading in popular song
• Shaping lyrical melody with dynamic control rather than literal tempo changes
• Accompanying a vocal line while maintaining independent harmonic motion
• Recognizing the relationship between classical harmony and jazz standard language