Angry – Free Jazz Lead Sheet
Bb Major – Henry Brunies 1925
Angry (1925) by Henry Brunies, Merritt Brunies, Dudley Mecum, and Jules Cassard is a traditional jazz standard. View this free online lead sheet in Bb major, including melody and chords for the verse and chorus.
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Support the projectAbout this song:
Angry was written in 1925 by Henry Brunies, Merritt Brunies, Dudley Mecum, and Jules Cassard, musicians associated with the early New Orleans jazz scene. The tune emerged during the formative years of hot jazz and became part of the traditional jazz repertoire, valued for its driving rhythm and memorable melodic character. It reflects the collective style of early ensemble-based jazz, where arranged passages and improvisation coexist within a clear song framework.
This free online lead sheet presents the complete melody and chord changes in Bb major, making it suitable for small combos, big bands, and traditional jazz ensembles. Its balanced structure supports improvisation, call-and-response phrasing, and stylistic interpretation in swing or classic New Orleans settings.
About the composer: Henry Brunies
Henry Henny Brunies (1891–1932) was an American jazz trombonist and composer from New Orleans, known for his role in introducing New Orleans jazz to California in the 1920s. He worked with the Friars Inn Orchestra and recorded with his brother Merritt in Chicago. Though his brother George became more famous, Henry was considered the most gifted musician in the family.
Musical strucutre and form
Written in a 32-bar song form and commonly performed in Bb major, the tune features clear sectional phrasing, functional harmony, and rhythmic drive rooted in early swing and New Orleans style. Its chord progression and balanced form provide a solid framework for melodic embellishment and improvisation.
