They Can't Take That Away from Me: Piano/Vocal/Chords

Gloria Estefan's interpretations of these Gershwin standards reveal fresh harmonic possibilities without obscuring the originals' architectural brilliance. The arrangements respect the melodic essence while introducing contemporary voicings that give pianists permission to think beyond the page. At 108 pages, this collection offers substantial material for developing pianists to explore sophisticated harmony in a format that connects to a major artist's vision.

These arrangements feel like walking into a room where a sophisticated musician is thinking aloud at the piano. There's elegance and restraint mixed with moments of unexpected harmonic color. The writing sits comfortably on the instrument while demanding enough pianistic and interpretive attention to feel like real work, not nostalgia.

Pianists and pianists/vocalists who want to deepen their command of jazz-influenced harmony and twentieth-century popular song without stepping outside the canon. This collection also serves accompanists preparing to support singers who want to tackle standards with contemporary sensibility. Music students studying the intersection of popular and classical traditions will find genuine pedagogical value in Gershwin's harmonic language and Estefan's reimagined approach.

• Study the chord symbols carefully before diving into the written voicings. Gershwin's harmonies often move by half-step or chromatic motion, and understanding the underlying progression helps you anticipate harmonic rhythm and voice leading.
• Balance the vocal melody with richer left-hand accompaniment in these arrangements. The piano part isn't a simple support; it's a conversation partner that needs definition and independence.
• Listen to Estefan's recorded versions to absorb phrasing and timing. These standards benefit from swing and rubato that the written notation alone won't fully capture.
• Pay attention to the lyrical quality even when playing solo instrumental sections. The text underneath shapes how each phrase should breathe, especially in the more intimate ballads.

Feature one or two selections as part of a standards-focused recital, pairing them with other American songbook classics from different eras. Alternatively, use the collection as the foundation for a themed concert celebrating Gershwin's legacy through a contemporary artist's lens. Individual pieces work well as encores or as repertoire for developing the jazz-aware classical pianist.

• Reading and executing jazz-influenced chord voicings and seventh, ninth, and eleventh chords
• Voice leading across chromatic and half-step harmonic movement
• Balancing melody, accompaniment, and chord symbol realization in piano/vocal textures
• Interpreting rubato and swing in a standards-based context
• Navigating the relationship between written notation and interpretive flexibility