DROP ME OFF IN HARLEM - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"drop me off in harlem" was composed by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Nick Kenny in 1933. The song celebrates Harlem as a vibrant centre of jazz culture, capturing the spirit and pride of the community through its lyrics and swinging melody.

The first recording was by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra in New York, featuring Ellington’s piano alongside trumpet, trombone, and reed instruments. Subsequent versions by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and other jazz icons have reinforced its status as a jazz standard.

The composition uses a 32-bar AABA form with strong rhythmic drive and melodic hooks, offering ample space for instrumental solos and ensemble interplay.