Tunes

Recommended Jazz Stardards to Learn

One of my biggest weaknesses as a jazz player is knowing tunes. (“Knowing” in this case means that you have the melody and chord changes memorized and could play thru both without the use of a Real Book.) Over the years I have gathered many lists and I never know where to start. During the Aebersold Camp 2010, I have the privilege to listen to many fantastic jazz musicians and educators and then an idea hit me. Each faculty combo played 3 tunes at a time, so why not keep track of what the faculty chose to play and start there? They obviously chose those tunes for a reason. So here’s that list along with the tunes I read in my combo. Maybe it will give you a place to start as well. :)

  1. It’s You or No One – Jule Styne
  2. Lover Man – Davis-Ramirez-Sherman
  3. Tea for Two – Vincent Youmans
  4. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes – Jerome Kern
  5. In a Sentimental Mood – Duke Ellington
  6. Laura – David Raskin
  7. You Stepped Out of a Dream – Nacio-Herb-Brown
  8. United – Wayne Shorter
  9. Taking a Chance on Love – Vernon Duke
  10. What is this Thing Called Love – Cole Porter
  11. Jeannine – Duke Pearson
  12. The Preacher – Horace Silver
  13. Billie’s Bounce – Charlie Parker
  14. Recado Bossa Nova – Djalma Ferreira
  15. Blue in Green – Miles Davis
  16. Autumn Leaves – Joseph Kosma
  17. Forest Flower – Charles Lloyd
  18. Footprints – Wayne Shorter
  19. Summertime – George Gershwin
  20. Four on Six – Wes Montgomery
  21. What’s New – Bob Haggard
  22. Have You Met Miss Jones – Richard Rodgers
  23. One Finger Snap – Herbie Hancock
  24. You Don’t Know What Love Is – Raye-DePaul
  25. Along Came Betty – Benny Golson
  26. Whisper Not – Benny Golson
  27. Tune Up – Miles Davis
  28. My Little Suede Shoes – Charlie Parker
  29. Groovin’ High – Dizzy Gillespie
  30. Half Nelson – Miles Davis
  31. Confirmation – Charlie Parker
  32. Oleo – Sonny Rollins
  33. I Mean You – Thelonious Monk
  34. My Ideal – Richard Whiting
  35. Bernie’s Tune – Bernie Miller
  36. Blue Bossa – Kenny Dorham
  37. Girl from Ipanema – Antonio-Carlos Jobim
  38. I Got Rhythm – George Gershwin
  39. I Can’t Get Started – Vernon Duke
  40. I Could Write a Book – Richard Rogers
  41. In Your Own Sweet Way – Dave Brubeck
  42. Stablemates – Benny Golson
  43. Minority – Gigi Gryce

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