Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Four Brothers" is a jazz standard composed in 1947 by saxophonist and arranger Jimmy Giuffre. It was written specifically for the saxophone section of Woody Herman's Second Herd and became the signature piece of that legendary band.

The tune is a contrafact based on the chord changes of "Jeepers Creepers," cast in a 32-bar AABA form in the key of C major. Its defining feature is the arrangement for three tenors and one baritone saxophone, playing in a light, vibrato-less style inspired by Lester Young. The four saxophonists trade solos in succession, creating an exhilarating sense of friendly competition, while their blend in the ensemble passages achieves a remarkably unified, cool-toned sound that bridged the gap between swing and modern jazz.

The definitive recording was made on December 27, 1947, by the Woody Herman Orchestra for Columbia, featuring Zoot Sims, Serge Chaloff, Herbie Steward, and Stan Getz as the "Four Brothers." Art Pepper's 1959 version on Art Pepper + Eleven – Modern Jazz Classics is also widely admired.