Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Blue and Sentimental" is a song written by Count Basie (1904–1984), Jerry Livingston, and Mack David, arranged by Eddie Durham. It was recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra on June 6, 1938, in New York City for Decca Records. Among Basie's many compositions full of jives, jumps, and bounces, this stands as his only romantic ballad.

The tune is a slow swing ballad in the key of Eb, featuring a warm, lyrical melody that has proven especially well suited to the tenor saxophone. The original recording showcased tenor saxophonist Herschel Evans, whose rhapsodic solo defined the song's emotional character, along with a rare clarinet solo by Lester Young—who was far better known for his tenor playing. The gentle, unhurried harmonic progression and singing melodic line make it an ideal vehicle for ballad interpretation, rewarding players who favor expressive restraint and tonal beauty.

Basie re-recorded the tune multiple times over subsequent decades, including a version on the celebrated Atomic Basie album (1958). Tenor saxophonist Ike Quebec named his 1962 Blue Note album after the song, and Ben Webster recorded it for Michel Legrand's Legrand Jazz (1958). It remains a beloved ballad in the tenor saxophone repertoire.