ON A CLEAR DAY - Free Jazz Leadsheet

“On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)” was composed by Burton Lane with lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner in 1965 for the Broadway musical of the same name. Its bright, soaring melody quickly became a favorite for jazz interpretations.

The first recording was by Barbra Streisand in the original cast recording of the musical, capturing the song’s optimistic, uplifting character. Jazz artists later adopted it for instrumental and vocal performances, exploring its lyrical phrasing and harmonic possibilities.

The song’s structure, typically following an A-B-A form, allows improvisers to highlight the sweeping melodic lines and the contrast between reflective and exuberant passages.