Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Indiana" (full title: "Back Home Again in Indiana") was composed by James F. Hanley with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald, published in 1917. The Original Dixieland Jazz Band recorded it that same year, making it one of the earliest jazz recordings ever issued.

The form is a 32-bar AABA in F major. The A sections feature a bright, leaping melody over I-VI-ii-V progressions, propelling with natural swing momentum. The bridge provides contrast through a move to the IV area. Typically taken at up-tempo, the tune became a foundational vehicle in the bebop era, where its chord changes inspired numerous contrafacts — new melodies composed over existing harmonic structures. The most famous of these is "Donna Lee," attributed to Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.

Louis Armstrong made "Indiana" his signature opening number with the All Stars, performing it for years at the start of every set. In the bebop tradition, Charlie Parker's various recordings over these changes — including the contrafact "Donna Lee" — are essential listening and cemented the tune's importance in jazz history.