Ruby (from Ruby Gentry): E-Z Play Today

Ruby glides with warm sophistication. The melody floats over harmonies that suggest both romantic restraint and underlying emotional depth, creating an intimate ballad quality that rewards legato phrasing and attention to dynamics.

Intermediate pianists expanding their jazz and standards repertoire, and students who want to add shimmer and melodic sophistication to their sight-reading diet. This is equally valuable for independent practice and for use in jazz combos or accompaniment settings.

• Keep the touch relaxed through the chromatic passages. Tension will muddy the clarity of these passing tones.
• Shape the phrases toward the highest note rather than treating each measure equally. This creates forward momentum that matches the melody's natural contour.
• Listen to several recorded versions before rehearsing. The rubato and swing feel vary between interpretations, and hearing the range of possibilities helps you find your own voice in the piece.

Include this in a jazz standards recital, pair it with other 1950s popular song arrangements, or use it as an encore that shifts the concert mood into reflective territory. Its moderate length makes it ideal for end-of-semester student showcases where variety across genres matters.

• Voice leading in jazz harmony
• Pedal control in slower tempos
• Phrasing and rubato in ballad style
• Reading lead sheet notation with jazz chord symbols