Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Bye Bye Blackbird" is a popular song written by composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Mort Dixon in 1926. First popularized by Gene Austin and Nick Lucas, the tune has transcended its Tin Pan Alley origins to become one of the most beloved standards in the jazz repertoire.

The song is in F major and follows a 32-bar AABA form. Its harmonic structure stays close to the tonal center throughout, which is precisely what makes it a jam session favorite—musicians freely apply chord substitutions and reharmonizations to create movement and variety. The melody has an inviting, singable contour that lends itself to bluesy and chromatic embellishment. While medium swing is the standard approach, the tune adapts gracefully to ballad, Latin, and up-tempo treatments alike.

The most influential jazz recording is by Miles Davis on 'Round About Midnight (Columbia, 1957), featuring his signature Harmon-muted trumpet alongside John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Coltrane later recorded an expansive 18-minute rendition that earned a posthumous Grammy Award.