Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

Benny Golson composed this hard bop gem in 1958. Within just a few years, Golson wrote no fewer than eight jazz standards—including "I Remember Clifford," "Killer Joe," "Along Came Betty," "Blues March," and "Whisper Not"—making him one of the most prolific jazz composers of the era. He served as musical director of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers during the group's golden period.

"Are You Real?" is a 32-bar piece with a four-bar tag, played at a driving medium to up-tempo swing. The theme features two-part writing for tenor saxophone and trumpet that is characteristically propulsive and melodically engaging. True to Golson's style, the sophisticated chord progression provides rich material for improvisers while maintaining a memorable, swinging head.

The original recording appears on Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers' landmark album Moanin' (1958, Blue Note), with Lee Morgan (trumpet), Golson (tenor sax), Bobby Timmons (piano), and Jymie Merritt (bass). The album is widely regarded as one of the quintessential hard bop recordings. Golson also recorded the tune on his own leader dates, notably with trombonist Curtis Fuller.