BAUBLES BANGLES AND BEADS - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"Baubles, Bangles and Beads" was written in 1953 by Robert Wright and George Forrest for the musical Kismet, using melodies adapted from Alexander Borodin’s 19th-century composition "String Quartet No. 2 in D Major." The song became an instant favorite for its lush romantic imagery and exotic harmonic flavor.

The first recording was released in 1953 by Doretta Morrow and Richard Kiley in the Broadway cast of Kismet. A year later, Peggy Lee and Sarah Vaughan brought the tune into the jazz repertoire, emphasizing its sensual rhythm and chromatic motion. Instrumental versions by Ahmad Jamal and Wes Montgomery further showcased its improvisational potential.

Set in a 32-bar AABA form, the song is notable for its unusual harmonic progressions derived from Borodin’s classical roots. The lilting melody, alternating between major and minor modes, gives it a mysterious yet romantic atmosphere. It remains a popular standard for vocalists and instrumentalists drawn to its refined, Middle Eastern-tinged charm.