My Man's Gone Now is an aria from George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess, with lyrics by DuBose Heyward, written for the 1935 premiere. In the opera it is sung by Serena at her husband Robbins's wake after he is murdered, as she laments that she will no longer hear his footsteps and that “ol man sorrow” will be her companion. The piece blends gospel and African American spiritual influences, with moaning and sighing refrains that convey deep grief. The original performance in 1935 was by Ruby Elzy. Since then it has been widely recorded and interpreted, with notable versions by Ella Fitzgerald on the 1958 Porgy and Bess album, and by artists such as Nina Simone, Leontyne Price, Sarah Vaughan, and Audra McDonald. Jazz adaptations have also been prominent, including Miles Davis and Gil Evans on their Porgy and Bess recordings and Bill Evans on Sunday at the Village Vanguard. Genre: opera aria with strong gospel and jazz influences.
