Some jazz standards are relatively unknown to people who don’t listen to jazz. Sweet Georgia Brown, though, is known by EVERYONE, mainly because the Harlem Globetrotters have been using the tune as their theme song since 1952. Even fiddlers love this song, and it’s a popular bluegrass tune in addition to being a great jazz tune. The tune, written by Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard, and lyricist Kenneth Casey, was first published in 1925. Rather, 1925 seems to be the most widely accepted date, although some people suspect the film was made in 1922 or 1924. 1925 was certainly the year Bernie recorded the song on vinyl.

Sweet Georgia Brown changes PDF

Sweet Georgia Brown-C Instruments (.pdf)

Sweet Georgia Brown-Bb Instruments (.pdf)

Sweet Georgia Brown-Eb Instruments (.pdf)

Sweet Georgia Brown Playalong jam track

Ben Bernie and All the Lads (that’s the name of the film)
Ben Bernie evidently achieved co-writer status on this tune because he made the tune popular with this film. It contains the first-ever sax solo caught on film.

Django Reinhardt

Herb Ellis

Anita O’Day
Unique treatment of this song. I love Anita.

Harry Connick Jr.
Harry’s definitely a showman.

Wynton Marsalis with Mark O’Connor and Frank Vignola