BLUES IN THE CLOSET - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"blues in the closet" (also sometimes listed as "Collard Greens and Black-Eyed Peas") was composed in 1953 by bassist Oscar Pettiford. The first known recording was by Oscar Pettiford and His Jazz All-Stars in 1954 in New York. Over the years, the tune has been adopted by many jazz ensembles and soloists, becoming a staple head at jam sessions thanks to its strong riff and accessible form.

The piece conveys a mix of playful humour and reflective blues sentiment, capturing a light-hearted yet soulful mood. Musically, it relies on a 12-bar blues structure with a memorable riff head and space for improvisation, allowing performers to emphasise personal expression over a moderate swing groove.