NIGHT TRAIN - Free Jazz Leadsheet

“Night Train” is a blues-based jazz instrumental composed by Jimmy Forrest in 1951. The piece has become a classic example of the swing and rhythm-and-blues crossover that characterized the early 1950s.

The first recording took place in 1951 with Jimmy Forrest on tenor saxophone, supported by the Count Basie rhythm section. Its simple 12-bar blues structure and repetitive riff-driven melody made it an instant hit among jazz and R&B audiences.

Later versions by Oscar Peterson, Buddy Rich, and James Brown emphasized its danceable groove and improvisational opportunities. The song’s structure allows musicians to explore expressive phrasing while maintaining a driving, hypnotic rhythm.