Learn Jazz Standards Helping Jazz Musicians Improve Their Chops and Master the Real Book!

“What Is This Thing Called Love?” is a tune written by Cole Porter in 1929 for the musical “Wake Up and Dream.” The song eventually became a popular jazz standard and one of Porter’s most famous works. Later musicians began composing tunes based from these chord changes such as Tadd Dameron’s “Hot House”, made famous [...]

“Yesterdays” is a tune written in 1933 by Jerome Kern. It was written for the show “Roberta”(1933). This song is performed in many different styles and tempos, but it was originally done as a ballad. This tune is most commonly played in the key of D minor. Amazon.com Widgets Chord Charts Yesterdays C Instruments Yesterdays [...]

“In Walked Bud” is a tune written in 1947 by the great Thelonius Monk. The tune was written in tribute to pianist Bud Powell. Based of Irvin Berlin’s tune “Blue Skies”, Monk recorded this tune multiple times throughout his career. Later famed jazz vocalist Jon Hendricks wrote lyrics to it. This tune is most commonly [...]

“But Beautiful” is a ballad written by Jimmy Van Heusen, lyrics written by Jimmy Burke. It was introduced in the film “Road to Rio” in 1948. Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis was the first jazz musician to record this tune. This tune is most commonly played in the key of G major. Amazon.com Widgets Chord Charts But [...]

“I Love You” is a tune written by Cole Porter. It was written in 1944 for his stage musical “Mexican Hayride”. This tune is most commonly played in F major. A notable recording to check out of this tune is John Coltrane’s version on his “Lush Life” record. Amazon.com Widgets Chord Changes I Love You [...]

You’re My Everything is a tune written in 1931 by Harry Warren and Joseph Young. The lyrics were written by Mort Dixon. Popular versions of this song include the Miles Davis recording on his Prestige record “Relaxin” and Freddie Hubbard’s version on his hit record “Hub-tones”. This tune is most commonly played in C major. [...]

Origin Records recording artist and jazz professor Brent Jensen lectures on Hard Bop. Characteristics of Hard Bop by Brent Jensen Recordings by Brent Jensen Amazon.com Widgets

Brent Jensen, saxophone recording artist on Origin Records, did a lecture series on Jazz Styles. I’m going to be posting some of his lectures on my website because he has a great perspective on the music. Brent is a wealth of knowledge on jazz history. Bebop Lecture by Brent Jensen Recordings by Brent Jensen Amazon.com [...]

Written by Alex Stordahl, Paul Weston, and Sammy Cahn and published in 1944, I Should Care appeared in the movie “Thrill of a Romance” in 1945. The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra played the tune for the movie. Most common key for this jazz standard is C major. Chord Changes: I Should Care C Instruments I Should [...]

My Shining Hour is a popular standard written by Harold Arlen, words by Johnny Mercer.  Originally written for 1943 film “The Skies the Limit”.   Most commonly played in the keys of Eb major and C major. Amazon.com Widgets My Shining Hour (C instruments) My Shining Hour (Bb inststruments) My Shining Hour (Eb Instruments)