Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"September in the Rain" is a popular standard composed by Harry Warren with lyrics by Al Dubin, published in 1937. Warren was one of the first American composers to write primarily for film. The song was introduced by James Melton in the movie Melody for Two and quickly became a hit, with nostalgic lyrics evoking lost love through autumn imagery.

The key is E♭ major in a 32-bar form. The melody is graceful and memorable, with a gentle minor-tinged quality that suits its autumnal theme. Jazz musicians often employ alternate chord changes, particularly in the first four measures, allowing for varied harmonic interpretations. The tune works effectively at tempos ranging from slow ballad to medium swing.

Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians' 1937 recording reached number one on the charts for four consecutive weeks. In jazz, George Shearing Quintet's 1949 version helped revive the tune, and Red Garland's piano trio rendition on A Garland of Red (1956, Prestige) is a widely admired interpretation. Dinah Washington's 1961 version became her final major hit.