CHEROKEE - Free Jazz Leadsheet

“cherokee” was composed by Ray Noble in 1938 as part of his “Indian Suite” and quickly entered the jazz canon. Charlie Barnet’s 1939 recording helped popularize the tune, and later bebop musicians adopted it for its challenging chord progression.

The song’s fast tempo and extended harmonic cycle have made it a proving ground for improvisers. Its 64-bar AABA structure, with briskly shifting changes in the bridge, offers a demanding platform that continues to attract modern soloists.