Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Easy Living" is a ballad composed by Ralph Rainger with lyrics by Leo Robin for the 1937 Paramount film of the same name. Though the song was used only as an instrumental theme in the movie, Billie Holiday recorded it with Teddy Wilson's Orchestra on June 1, 1937, and their version charted on Billboard, establishing it as a jazz standard forever linked to Lady Day.

Written in E-flat major (often transposed to F major in lead sheets) with a 32-bar AABA form, the tune features a gently undulating melody that radiates the warmth of contented love. The A sections build on a smooth ascending line that is both singable and gracefully suited to instrumental interpretation. A striking modulation from E-flat to B in the bridge adds an unexpected harmonic depth, elevating the composition beyond its seemingly simple surface. As a ballad vehicle, "Easy Living" demands lyrical phrasing and tonal beauty, rewarding performers who bring genuine tenderness to its interpretation.

Holiday's 1937 recording features Lester Young (ts) and Buck Clayton (tp) in an intimate small-group setting. Clifford Brown's 1953 sextet version, included on Memorial Album, is another landmark recording, showcasing the trumpeter's warm, singing tone on this elegant standard.