Table of Contents:
What is a Jazz Standard?
A jazz standard is a musical theme that has acquired a certain notoriety in the jazz genre, which is known by many musicians and which has been the subject of numerous versions, interpretations and improvisations, and which is frequently used in jam sessions and performances.
There are standards from all eras of jazz, such as ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’, ‘I Got Rhythm’ or ‘How High the Moon’, ‘Take the ‘A’ Train’ to cite examples of the hot, swing and bop.
Many of the best-known standards were composed for films, or come from the so-called Great American Songbook, and have been incorporated into the genre, such as, for example, ‘Summertime’, by George Gershwin, while, for example, ”Round Midnight’, by Thelonious Monk, has been covered by, among others, Cootie Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Pepper, and Miles Davis.
Best Sheet Music download from our Library.
![jazz scores free sheet music download partitions gratuites Noten spartiti What is a Jazz Standard?](https://sheetmusiclibrary.website/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/150-Of-The-Best-Jazz-Standards-Ever-sheet-music-218x300.jpg)
The most recorded standard composed by a jazz musician, and one of the most covered songs of all time, is Duke Ellington’s and Juan Tizol’s “Caravan” with over 500 uses.
Originally, the most recorded jazz standard was W. C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues” for over 20 years from the 1930s onward, after which Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust” replaced it. Following this, the place was held by “Body and Soul” by Johnny Green.
Please, subscribe to our Library. Thank you!
Before 1920
At the beginning of the 20th century, jazz was still considered dance music. The first Dixieland groups remained influenced by this image: King Oliver and his Creole Jazz Band, the New Orleans Rhythm Kings and many other groups included Tin Pan Alley in their repertoires, and record companies sometimes dictated the list of titles that must be recorded by their artists.
Certain imposed songs have thus become standards, such as Darktown Strutters’ Ball or (Back Home Again in) Indiana, recorded by the Original Dixieland Jass Band at Columbia Records in 1917.
Also, among the standards of this era are the songs After You’ve Gone (Turner Layton and Henry Creamer, 1918) and Some of These Days (Sophie Tucker, 1910).
The 1920s
The Jazz Age began in the United States in the 1920s. Jazz became popular there, even though the older generation considered this music immoral and endangering their cultural values.
The first artist who allowed himself to freely choose his titles was Louis Armstrong, who popularized many standards during the years 1920 to 19301. The popular tunes of the 1920s were songs like Sweet Georgia Brown, Dinah or Bye Bye Blackbird.
Some compositions from this era written by jazz musicians have become standards such as Honeysuckle Rose (1928) and Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1929) by Fats Waller. The song Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael and Mitchell Parish is the most recorded jazz standard of the 1920s. Others are written by Broadway composers such as The Man I Love by George and Ira Gershwin (1924), Blue Skies by Irving Berlin (1927), or What Is This Thing Called Love? by Cole Porter (1927).
However, it was not until the 1930s that jazz musicians became comfortable with the complex melodies and sophisticated harmonic grids of Broadway tunes, and used them regularly in their repertoires.
The 1930s
Broadway contributed some of the most popular standards of the 1930s, including the famous Summertime from the comedy Porgy and Bess by George and Ira Gershwin (1935), My Funny Valentine by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart (1937), All the Things You Are by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II (1939), and Body and Soul by Johnny Green (1930). These standards are among the most recorded.
The 1930s saw swing establish itself in American music. Duke Ellington and his musicians composed many themes which would become jazz standards: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) (1932), Sophisticated Lady (1933), Caravan (1936) among the most famous.
![sheet music free sheet music download partitions gratuites Noten spartiti partituras jazz standard](https://sheetmusiclibrary.website/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Legends-Of-Jazz-Guitar-Vol-Three-Biographies-of-Jim-Hall-Tal-ino-Herb-Ellis-Charlie-Byrd-Barnie-Kessel-Book-232x300.jpg)
The swing era (1935–1946) is that of the greatest big bands, such as those of Benny Goodman and Count Basie, who also participated in the repertoire of jazz standards.
The 1940s
New themes became popular, such as Cotton Tail by Duke Ellington (1940) or Take the ‘A’ Train by Billy Strayhorn (1941). The Second World War was a difficult time for big bands, and small groups developed.
The arrival of bebop brought out a new audience sensitive to sophisticated harmonies, fast tempos, and the virtuosity of the musicians. Their repertoires largely use the standards of the 1930s, but their compositions will also enter the list of standards: Salt Peanuts (1941) and A Night in Tunisia (1942) by Dizzy Gillespie, Anthropology (1946), Yardbird Suite (en) ( 1946), Scrapple from the Apple (1947) by Charlie Parker, or ‘Round Midnight (1944) by Thelonious Monk.
The 1950s and beyond
Some modal jazz recordings became popular in the late 1950s, such as the albums Kind of Blue by Miles Davis in 1959 with the compositions All Blues and So What, Impressions (en) by John Coltrane in 1963, or Maiden Voyage by Herbie Hancock in 1965.
In the mid-1960s, Miles Davis’ second major quintet with Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock recorded a series of albums which contained standards such as Footprints (Wayne Shorter, 1966) and Freedom Jazz Dance (Eddie Harris, 1966).
At the end of the 1950s, bossa nova appeared in Brazil, a mixture of samba and jazz, made popular by João Gilberto, Antônio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfá. Gilberto and Stan Getz launched this trend in the United States in 1964 with the famous Getz/Gilberto album. Among the standards of the genre are compositions by Bonfá (Manhã de Carnaval, 1959), Marcos Valle (Summer Samba, 1966), and numerous songs by Jobim such as Desafinado (1959), The Girl from Ipanema (1962), Corcovado (1962).
In the mid-1970s, jazz fusion appeared, which was a mixture of jazz, funk and rock. Joe Zawinul with Weather Report, Chick Corea with Return to Forever, Herbie Hancock with The Headhunters, or John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra considerably broaden the jazz audience, and some of their successes have become standards: Spain (en) by Chick Corea (1971), Chameleon by Hancock (1973), and Birdland by Joe Zawinul (1977).
![Jazz standards sheet music free scores Jazz standards](https://sheetmusiclibrary.website/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Hal-Leonard-Real-Jazz-Book-Over-500-Songs-242x300.jpg)
Jazz standards
Musical compositions that have become jazz standards.
Irving Berlin – Alexander’s Ragtime Band [1911]
“Alexander’s Ragtime Band” is a Tin Pan Alley song by American composer Irving Berlin released in 1911 and is often inaccurately cited as his first global hit. Although not a traditional ragtime song, Berlin’s jaunty melody nonetheless “sold a million copies of sheet music in 1911, then another million in 1912, and continued to sell for years afterward.
It was the number one song from October 1911 through January 1912.” The song might be regarded as a narrative sequel to “Alexander and His Clarinet”, which Berlin wrote with Ted Snyder in 1910. The earlier song is mostly concerned with a reconciliation between an African-American musician named Alexander Adams and his flame Eliza Johnson, but also highlights Alexander’s innovative musical style.
Berlin’s “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” was introduced to the American public by vaudeville comedienne Emma Carus, “one of the great stars of the period.” A popular singer in the 1907 Ziegfeld Follies and Broadway features, Carus was a famous contralto of the vaudeville era, renowned for her “low bass notes and high lung power.”
Carus’ brassy performance of the song at the American Music Hall in Chicago on April 18, 1911, proved to be well-received, and she toured other metropolises such as Detroit and New York City with acclaimed performances that featured the catchy song. The song as comically recorded by American singing duo Arthur Collins and Byron G. Harlan became the number one hit of 1911.
Nearly two decades later, jazz singer Bessie Smith recorded a 1927 cover, which became one of the hit songs of that year. The song’s popularity re-surged in the 1930s with the release of a 1934 close harmony cover by the Boswell Sisters, and a 1938 musical film of the same name starring Tyrone Power and Alice Faye. The song was covered by a variety of artists such as Al Jolson, Billy Murray, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, and others. Within fifty years of its release, the song had at least a dozen hit covers.
Etta James – Stormy Weather
From the album is At Last.
Search in our Library by author, or song name.
Artist or Composer / Score name | Cover | List of Contents |
---|---|---|
Schubert – Piano Trio Eb D.929 Andante (2h piano arr. by Ehrmann) |
![]() |
|
Schubert – Piano Trio Eb D.929 Op. 100 (piano solo arr.) | ||
Schubert – Schwanengesang 14 Lieder arr. for piano solo by A. Horn (incl. Ständchen) | Schbert Schwanengesang | |
SCHUBERT – The Complete Piano Sonatas For Piano Solo |
![]() |
|
Schubert – Winterreise Op. 89 (voice and piano) | Schubert Winterreise | |
Schubert Allegretto C Minor |
![]() |
|
Schubert D310 Sehnsucht (voice & piano) | ||
Schubert D693 Der Fluss Voice & Piano |
![]() |
|
Schubert Klavier Trio Op. 100 D. 929 2 Mov. Andante Easy Intermediate Piano Solo arr. | Schubert Klavier Trio Op. 100 D. 929 2 Mov. Andante Easy Intermediate Piano Solo arr. | |
Schubert Klavier Trio Op. 100 D. 929 2 Mov. Andante Easy Intermediate Piano Solo arr..mxl | ||
Schubert Lied der Mignon op. 62 no. 4 | ||
Schubert Lieder Band II |
![]() |
|
Schubert Lieder Tief Muellerin |
![]() |
|
Schubert Piano Sonatas Vol 1 Henle Urtext |
![]() |
|
Schubert Piano Sonatas Vol 2 Henle Urtext |
![]() |
|
Schubert Piano Sonatas Vol 3 Henle Urtext Includes 3 Last Sonatas |
![]() |
|
Schubert Piano Sonatas Vol 4 Henle Urtext |
![]() |
|
Schubert Piano Sonatas Vol 5 And Anhang Henle Urtext |
![]() |
|
Schubert Serenade Standchen Arr. By Lizst |
![]() |
|
Schubert Sonata in A major, D. 959 (Henle) |
![]() |
|
Schubert Song Transcriptions For Solo Piano |
![]() |
|
Schubert Song Transcriptions For Solo Piano (Franz Liszt) |
![]() |
Schubert Song Transcriptions For Solo Piano (Franz Liszt) |
Schubert Werke Breitkopf Serie 11 No 120 D 946 | ||
Schubert-Liszt – Erlkönig (Schubert famous Lied Erlkönig (S. 558-4).mscz | ||
Schulz – Scales and Chords | ||
Schumann Piano Concerto Op. 54 Theme From 1st Mov. Piano Solo Reduction |
![]() |
|
Schumann – Dichterliebe Op. 48 voice and piano | Schumann Dichterliebe Op. 48 | |
Schumann – Kinderszenen No.10 Fast Zu Ernst.mscz | ||
Schumann – Piano Concerto Op. 54 Theme from 1st Mov. Piano Solo reduction.mscz | ||
Schumann – Traumerei | Schumann – Traumerei | |
Schumann – Waldscenen Op 82 | ||
Schumann Fantasy op12 n1 | ||
Schumann Kinderscenen Op 15 Scenes from Chilhood | Schumann Kinderscenen, Op 15 | |
Schumann op. 56 1 piano 4 hands | ||
Schumann Piano concerto Intermezzo (arr. for piano solo) | ||
Schumann, Clara (Wieck) Op.6 – Soireés Musicales | ||
Schumann, Robert – Pieces For Piano Solo (Op.26 And Beyond) |
![]() |
|
Schwandt – Dream A Little Dream Of Me | Schwandt – Dream A Little Dream Of Me | |
Schweitzer, Albert – J. S. bach volume 1 |
![]() |
|
Schweitzer, Albert – J. S. bach volume 2 |
![]() |
|
Sciarrino, Salvatore – Perduto in una citta d’acqua per pianoforte |
![]() |
|
Score A Film Music Documentary The Interviews (Feat. Hans Zimmer, Bear Mccreary, James Cameron, Brian Tyler And More) (Matt Schrader) Book |
![]() |
|
Scorpions Anthology (Piano, guitar and voice) |
![]() |
Scorpions Anthology |
Scorpions Guitar Songbook Best Of with Tablature |
![]() |
Scorpions Guitar Songbook Best Of |
Scott Alan – Always Sheet Music |
![]() |
|
Scott D Davis Solo Piano |
![]() |
Scott D Davis Solo Piano |
Scott English Richard Kerr – Mandy (piano sheet music) | Scott English Richard Kerr – Mandy (piano sheet music) | |
Scott Henderson Guitar Book |
![]() |
Scott Henderson Guitar Book |
Scott Henderson Guitar Book Artist Transcriptions |
![]() |
Scott Henderson Guitar Book Artist Transcriptions |
Scott Joplin Collected Piano Works RAGS, WALTZES, MARCHES |
![]() |
Scott Joplin Collected Piano Works RAGS, WALTZES, MARCHES |
Scott Joplin – Bethena – A Concert Waltz.mscz | ||
Scott Joplin – Maple Leaf Rag (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Scott Joplin – The Entertiner | ||
Scott Joplin Easy Piano arrangements (King of Ragtime) |
![]() |
Scott Joplin Easy Piano arrangement |
Scott LaFaro Witchcraft Bass sheet music |
![]() |
|
Scott Miller – Rock Keyboard (with audio MP3) |
![]() |
Scott Miller – Rock Keyboard (with audio MP3) |
Scriabin Op.12 2 Impromptus |
![]() |
|
Scriabin – Etude In C# Minor Op.2 No.1 (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Scriabin – Op. Sonata Fantasie | ||
Scriabin 2 Pieces Op 59 |
![]() |
|
Scriabin 24 Preludes Op.11 | Scriabin–24-Preludes-Op11 | |
Scriabin Étude Op 2 No 1 (Easy To Intermediate Arr.) |
![]() |
|
Scriabin Etude Op 2 No 1 (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Scriabin Étude op. 8 n 12 | ||
Scriabin Op. 2 Three Pieces |
![]() |
|
Scriabin Vers La Flamme, Op.72 |
![]() |
Scriabin Vers La Flamme, Op.72 |
Se la gente usasse il cuore (Andrea Bocelli) | ||
Se tu non fossi qui (Mina) | ||
Sea of Thieves – Ballad Of The Mer |
![]() |
|
Sea of Thieves – Becalmed by Robin Beanland |
![]() |
|
Seal – Kiss From A Rose | ||
Seal – Loves Devine | ||
Seal Its A Mans World piano solo sheet music |
![]() |
|
Sean Kingston – Beautiful Girls | ||
Secret Door (Evanescence) | ||
Secret Garden – You Raise Me Up |
![]() |
|
Secret Garden – Adagio | Secret garden – Adagio | |
Secret Garden – Appassionata Piano Violin from White Stones album |
![]() |
|
Secret Garden – Awakening from Once in a Red Moon album Rolf Lovland Guitar |
![]() |
|
Secret Garden – Heartstrings | Secret Garden- Heartstrings | |
Secret Garden – Le Cose Che Sei Per Me (The Things You Are To Me) | Secret Garden – Le Cose Che Sei Per Me (The Things You Are To Me) | |
Secret Garden – Nocturne | Secret Garden – Nocturne | |
Secret Garden – Passacaglia | ||
Secret Garden – Poem |
![]() |
|
Secret Garden – Serenade Of Spring | ||
Secret Garden – Song from a Secret Garden Piano |
![]() |
|
Secret Garden – Songbook |
![]() |
Secret Garden Songbook Piano-vocal-guitar |
Secret Garden – Songs from a Secret Garden Piano-vocal-guitar | Secret Garden songbook | Secret Garden – Songs from a Secret Garden |
Secret Garden – You Raise Me Up Guitar from Once in a Red Moon album Rolf Lovland |
![]() |
|
Secret Garden Always There | Secret Garden Always There | |
Secret Garden Elegie | Secret Garden Elegie | |
Secret Garden Fields Of Fortune | Secret Garden Fields Of Fortune | |
Secret Garden Half A World Away | Secret Garden Half A World Away | |
Secret Garden Hymn To Hope |
![]() |
|
Secret Garden Lotus | Secret Garden Lotus | |
Secret Garden Once In A Red Moon | Secret Garden Once In A Red Moon | |
Secret Garden Silence Speaks | Secret Garden Silence Speaks | |
Secret Garden White Stones Sheet Music Songbook | Secret Garden White Stones Sheet Music Songbook | |
Secret Of Mana – Kind Memories – Kikutahiroki | ||
Secret Of Mana – Tell A Strange Tale – Kikutahiroki | ||
Secret Of Mana – Tell A Strange Tale – Kikutahiroki |
![]() |
|
Secret-Garden – Celebration Guitar |
![]() |
|
Seether Amy Lee – Broken | ||
Selena – Dreaming Of You | ||
Senza fine (Gino Paoli) | ||
Sepultura – Just The Riffs (Guitar with TABs) |
![]() |
Sepultura – Just The Riffs (Guitar with TABs) |
Sepultura Arise Guitar Songbook with Tablature and guitar chords |
![]() |
|
Sepultura Chaos Songbook Guitar Tab |
![]() |
|
Seras-tu là (Lara Fabian & Pascal Obispo) | ||
Serge Gainsbourg – Je T’aime Moi Non Plus (Organ and Piano) | Serge Gainsbourg – Je T’aime Moi Non Plus (Organ and Piano) | |
Serge Gainsbourg partitions 5 livres en 1 Piano signature |
![]() |
Serge Gainsbourg partitions 5 livres en 1 Piano signature |
Serge Reggiani Recueil 16 Grands Succès (Partitions) |
![]() |
Serge Reggiani Recueil 16 Grands Succès (Partitions) |
Sergio Assad Sonata for guitar solo |
![]() |
|
Sergio Mendes Bridges |
![]() |
|
Sergio Mendes Más que Nada SATB vocal and Piano (by Jorge Ben) |
![]() |
|
Serrat, Joan Manuel – Partituras Antologia |
![]() |
Serrat, Joan Manuel – Partituras Antologia |
Seru Giran Seminare |
![]() |
|
Sex And The City Main Theme | Sex And The City – Main Theme | |
Sex Pistols Never Mind The Bollocks Band score |
![]() |
Sex Pistols Never Mind The Bollocks Band score |
Shaggy – Angel |