BERNIE'S TUNE - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"Bernie’s Tune" was composed by Bernie Miller in the early 1940s and became famous in 1952 through the recording by Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker. The tune is an emblem of the cool jazz movement, known for its relaxed yet intricate interplay between the baritone saxophone and trumpet lines.

The piece is structured as a 32-bar AABA form in a minor key, giving it a moody and introspective tone. Its chord changes, based on a series of ii–V–I progressions, make it an excellent vehicle for improvisation. The melody combines bluesy inflections with sophisticated jazz harmony, offering both rhythmic drive and melodic elegance. Over the years, it has been recorded by countless jazz musicians, including Stan Getz and Art Pepper, each bringing their own phrasing to its distinctive swing.