Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Ray's Idea" is a bebop composition co-written by bassist Ray Brown and arranger Gil Fuller. The title refers to Brown, who arrived in New York in 1945 and quickly became a key member of Dizzy Gillespie's groundbreaking groups. Brown went on to become one of the most important bassists in jazz history through his work with the Oscar Peterson Trio and countless recording sessions.

The tune is a 32-bar AABA form in B♭ major. It features a lively bebop theme complemented by Gil Fuller's colorful big band arrangement. Typically performed at an up-tempo swing, the piece showcases trumpet and tenor saxophone solos against energetic ensemble passages. The chord changes follow standard bebop ii-V patterns.

The original recording was made by the Dizzy Gillespie big band in 1946, with Fuller's arrangement drawing out the full brilliance of the horn section. The tune was published in a stock arrangement in 1949 and has since been performed in both big band and small group settings by various bebop-oriented musicians.