Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"A Beautiful Friendship" is a jazz standard written in 1956 by composer Donald Kahn and lyricist Stanley Styne. The collaboration carries a notable pedigree: Kahn was the son of legendary lyricist Gus Kahn, while Styne was the son of celebrated composer Jule Styne—making this a second-generation Tin Pan Alley partnership.

The tune follows a 32-bar AABA form with a bright, swinging melody that lends itself equally well to vocal and instrumental interpretation. The harmony is sophisticated yet accessible, built on pleasing jazz chord changes that invite both straightforward delivery and improvisational exploration. The lyrics celebrate the blossoming of a new friendship with lightness and charm, perfectly suited to uptempo swing arrangements. Its cheerful disposition and singable melody have made it a favorite among vocalists.

The song was first recorded by Ella Fitzgerald in 1956 with an orchestra conducted by Buddy Bregman. It was subsequently taken up by Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, and Rosemary Clooney, among others, establishing it as a beloved standard in the jazz vocal repertoire.