BLACK AND TAN FANTASY - Free Jazz Leadsheet

Composed by Duke Ellington and Bubber Miley in 1927, "Black and Tan Fantasy" was first recorded by Ellington's Washingtonians in New York. The original recording featured Ellington on piano and Miley on trumpet, blending jazz with blues elements.

It has been revisited by numerous Ellington ensembles and jazz pianists, often performed as a reflective and moody piece.

The composition evokes the experience of Harlem's nightlife and the contrasting realities of the African American experience. Structurally, it combines a minor-key blues form with dissonant intervals and rich voicings, creating a haunting, expressive atmosphere.