Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"The Birth of the Blues" is a popular song composed by Ray Henderson (1896–1970) with lyrics by Buddy DeSylva and Lew Brown. It was introduced in the Broadway revue George White's Scandals of 1926 and recorded that same year by Paul Whiteman, Harry Richman, and The Revelers.

The tune is a 32-bar standard in the key of C major—notably not a blues form despite its title. The lyrics tell a whimsical origin story of how the blues came to be, while Henderson's melody carries a swinging, jazz-inflected character that has kept it in the repertoire for nearly a century. The song works well at medium swing tempos and as a relaxed ballad, offering ample room for improvisation and vocal interpretation. Its straightforward harmony and memorable melody make it accessible to players of all levels.

Frank Sinatra's renditions are among the most widely recognized versions, and the song lent its name to a 1941 Paramount film starring Bing Crosby. The tune has been recorded across jazz, pop, and big band contexts by artists ranging from Sammy Davis Jr. to numerous jazz instrumentalists.