BLUE TURNING GREY - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"blue turning grey over you" (sometimes shortened to "blue turning grey") was composed in 1929 by Fats Waller with lyrics by Andy Razaf. The first major commercial recording was made by Louis Armstrong and his orchestra on February 1, 1930, in New York City, backed by Luis Russell’s orchestra. Over the years, the song has been revived by many artists, including a celebrated 1955 version by Armstrong and his All-Stars.

The lyrics capture themes of regret and fading love, conveying the emotional toll of a relationship slipping from vibrancy into memory. Musically, the tune blends a clear melodic line with a moderate swing feel, rooted in a 12-bar blues-inflected progression while allowing ample room for instrumental solos and conversational interplay typical of the jazz standard repertoire.