Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"In a Mellow Tone" (also known as "In a Mellotone") is a 1940 swing composition by Duke Ellington, with lyrics later added by Milt Gabler. Its chord changes are based on the 1917 standard "Rose Room," and the Ellington Orchestra made the first recording on September 5, 1940.

The form is a 32-bar AABA in Ab major. The A sections feature a catchy, syncopated riff melody over clear IV7-to-I motion, creating an irresistible swing feel. The bridge introduces subdominant minor harmony for a subtle shift in color before returning to the A theme. Typically performed at medium to medium-up swing tempos, the tune works beautifully in settings ranging from big band to small combo. Its largely diatonic, approachable changes make it an excellent vehicle for developing improvisers, while its infectious groove keeps it a staple at jam sessions of all levels.

The original 1940 recording is a classic, featuring solos by bassist Jimmy Blanton, trumpeter Cootie Williams, and alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges playing in exhilarating double-time — collected on The Blanton-Webster Band compilation. Ellington re-recorded the tune on Blues in Orbit (1960), a version that gained additional fame as the opening theme of The Howard Stern Show.