Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Blue 'n' Boogie" is a 1944 jazz standard co-written by Dizzy Gillespie (1917–1993) and Frank Paparelli. One of the earliest bebop compositions, it captures the electric energy of the movement's birth, when Gillespie and Charlie Parker were forging a new musical language on the bandstands of 52nd Street.

The tune is a 12-bar blues in Bb that fuses boogie-woogie rhythmic drive with bebop harmonic sophistication, as its title suggests. The riff-based head, typically played as a trumpet-and-alto unison, is infectiously energetic and sets up extended blowing at medium to uptempo swing. Its straightforward blues form combined with a lively, danceable groove makes it a favorite call at jam sessions when players want an up-tempo blues with bebop character.

Gillespie's original 1944 recording features Parker on alto saxophone. Notable later versions include Miles Davis's 1954 All-Star Sextet recording (later released on Walkin'), Wes Montgomery's live version on Full House (1962), and Sonny Rollins's rendition on Now's the Time (1964).