Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Sugar" was composed by tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and recorded as the title track of his 1970 album Sugar on CTI Records. The tune became one of CTI's defining recordings and earned Turrentine the nickname "The Sugar Man."

A 16-bar minor blues form in C minor, the tune rides on a mellow, funky groove that perfectly showcases Turrentine's thick, warm tenor tone. The first eight bars center on the tonic minor with ii-V movement, while the second eight bars feature a distinctive descending chord progression from the ♭V that gives "Sugar" its signature harmonic character. Bridging soul jazz and jazz funk, the piece invites bluesy, modal soloing with a deep rhythmic pocket.

Turrentine's own Sugar (recorded 1970, released 1971, CTI) is the definitive version, featuring an all-star lineup of Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, George Benson on guitar, Ron Carter on bass, and Lonnie Liston Smith on electric piano. The recording encapsulates the best of the CTI era's polished yet soulful jazz sound.