Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" was composed by Michel Legrand in 1969 for the film The Happy Ending, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

The tune follows an AABA-derived structure, but Legrand's sophisticated harmonic language sets it apart from typical standards. Written in C major, the piece opens with a chain of minor ii-V progressions that keep the tonal center in constant flux. The bridge is particularly challenging, moving through several remote key areas before resolving back. Usually performed as a ballad, the song rewards players who can navigate its rich chromatic voice leading, and double-time improvisations are a popular performance choice.

Among the most celebrated recordings is Bill Evans's version on From Left to Right (1970), where he plays both Steinway and Fender Rhodes simultaneously. Barbra Streisand's vocal rendition helped popularize the song beyond jazz circles, while tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander's energetic 1993 interpretation showcases the tune's potential for extended improvisation.