Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Tangerine" was composed by Victor Schertzinger, a filmmaker and musician, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Published in 1941, the song was introduced in the 1942 Paramount film The Fleet's In, one of Schertzinger's final projects before his death.

The tune follows a 32-bar AABA form, commonly played in F major. The A sections feature a warm, Latin-tinged melody built over ii-V-I progressions that evoke the exotic allure described in the lyrics — a captivating South American woman. The bridge introduces a modulation up a major third, providing striking harmonic contrast before resolving back to the tonic. The tune adapts well to a range of styles from medium swing to bossa nova, making it a versatile choice for jazz performers.

The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra's 1942 recording, featuring vocalists Helen O'Connell and Bob Eberly, spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard chart. In the jazz world, Dexter Gordon's tenor saxophone interpretation and Chet Baker's lyrical trumpet version are among the most admired modern readings.