SWING BROTHER SWING - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"Swing Brother Swing," also known simply as "Swing! Brother, Swing!", was written by Clarence Williams, Lewis Warshauer, and Horace Gerlach and published in 1936. The tune was first recorded on January 17, 1936, by Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra in New York City, a session that helped cement Holiday’s emerging reputation as a leading voice in swing-era vocal jazz.

Over the years the song has been revived by numerous artists, including performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Prima, and various modern swing ensembles. The lyrics present an enthusiastic call for energetic dancing and musical drive, while the piece itself uses a brisk, straight-ahead swing structure built on a 32-bar popular-song pattern. Its shout-like melodic phrases and rhythmic punch have kept it active in both traditional jazz and contemporary swing repertoires.