Lee Evans Books

Lee Evans is one of the best-loved comedians in the country; a Hollywood star able to sell out arenas in the blink of eye. But he was not always such a roaring success. This title presents his life story.

Among the most appealing western music ever written are many art songs - music set to poetry, a genre also known by the German word lieder (songs)- composed by such historically great composers as Schubert, Schumann, Wagner, Debussy, Ravel, de Falla, Rachmaninoff, and several others. It occurred to me that this fantastic music ideally should be accessible as solo piano pieces to those who may desire to play these songs without having to have them sung, in the same manner that any Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin or Harold Arlen song may be performed purely instrumentally. Consequently, I have created this volume of famous beautiful art songs as a judicious combination of the vocal and piano parts, but for piano solo alone, in the hope that your musical life will be immeasurably enriched, just as this incomparable music has enriched mine.

Some of the most beautiful music by Sergei Rachmaninoff can be found in his art songs for singers with piano accompaniment. Thanks to Lee Evans, these remarkable works are now accessible to pianists as solo compositions. Lee has skillfully combined the vocal and accompaniment parts of eleven of these gems including the gorgeous Vocalise.

Among the reasons for the instant appeal and durability of folk songs, spirituals and blues are their melodic, harmonic and rhythmic simplicity and accessibility. They are passed down by oral tradition from generation to generation, often undergoing changes in the process. Having deep feelings in his heart for this material and having been inspired by his own background in jazz, jazz improvisation and jazz education, Lee Evans offers his own 21st century piano solo arrangements of these folk and spiritual classics. Also included are two original blues pieces, all written at the intermediate level with a tasteful touch of jazz. Lastly, a template is provided for students to create their own blues improvisation.

Among the most appealing western music ever written are many art songs - music set to poetry, a genre also known by the German word lieder (songs)- composed by such historically great composers as Schubert, Schumann, Wagner, Debussy, Ravel, de Falla, Rachmaninoff, and several others. It occurred to me that this fantastic music ideally should be accessible as solo piano pieces to those who may desire to play these songs without having to have them sung, in the same manner that any Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin or Harold Arlen song may be performed purely instrumentally. Consequently, I have created this volume of famous beautiful art songs as a judicious combination of the vocal and piano parts, but for piano solo alone, in the hope that your musical life will be immeasurably enriched, just as this incomparable music has enriched mine.

The late1980s. Robindreams of becoming Jim Kerr, singer in the best band in the world, SimpleMinds, despite having no talent whatsoever. Fliss is a musical genius, perhaps the East Midlands’answer to Kate Bush, if only she had more confidence. An acclaimed novel by comedy writer Lee Stuart Evans