EAST OF THE SUN - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"east of the sun (and west of the moon)" was composed by Brooks Bowman in 1934 for the Princeton Triangle Club. The song explores themes of romantic longing and adventure, blending sophisticated harmony with an accessible melody.

The first notable recording was by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra in New York, with vocal and instrumental interplay highlighting the tune’s lyrical qualities. Later interpretations by Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Charlie Parker have cemented it as a jazz standard.

The composition follows a 32-bar AABA form with rich chord changes, providing soloists ample room for melodic and harmonic improvisation while maintaining a singable melody.