The man i love – Free Jazz Lead Sheet
Eb Major – George Gershwin 1924
The Man I Love by George Gershwin (1924) is a jazz ballad in Eb Major. The piece's lyrical melody and harmonic depth provide opportunities for expressive interpretation and emotional storytelling. Composed by George Gershwin, it remains a beloved standard for its beauty and emotional resonance. The tune's gentle flowing lines and rich harmonies make it ideal for intimate jazz performances.
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"The Man I Love" was composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin in 1924, originally intended for but ultimately cut from the musical "Lady, Be Good!" The earliest commercial recording arrived shortly afterward by Marion Harris, helping usher the song into the American standard repertoire despite its initial theatrical omission.
Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis each contributed influential interpretations that highlighted the song’s poignant emotional landscape. Its yearning lyrics and arching 32-bar melody have made it a core ballad for both singers and instrumentalists, celebrated for its harmonic richness and expressive depth.
About the composer: George Gershwin
George Gershwin (1898–1937) was an American composer and pianist who blended jazz, popular, and classical music. His most notable works include *Rhapsody in Blue*, *An American in Paris*, and the jazz standards *Embraceable You* and *I Got Rhythm*. His opera *Porgy and Bess* and film scores also highlight his innovative fusion of American and European musical traditions.
