EPISTROPHY - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"epistrophy" was composed by Thelonious Monk and Kenny Clarke in 1941. It is recognized as one of the earliest bebop standards, combining angular melodies with complex rhythmic patterns.

The first recording was by Thelonious Monk with Kenny Clarke in New York, featuring piano and drums at the forefront. Subsequent recordings by modern jazz ensembles have explored its challenging structure.

Structurally, it is built on a 32-bar form with distinctive chromatic riffs, allowing improvisers to navigate intricate harmonic and rhythmic ideas.