MACK THE KNIFE - Free Jazz Leadsheet

“Mack the Knife” was written in 1928 by composer Kurt Weill and lyricist Bertolt Brecht for their work *The Threepenny Opera*. The song tells the story of the criminal Macheath (“Mackie Messer”) and is known for its contrast between its catchy melody and darkly sinister subject matter.

Its first major exposure came through theater, but it became a jazz and pop standard after Louis Armstrong’s recording in the 1950s. Bobby Darin’s 1959 rendition further popularized the song, bringing it to mainstream audiences. Jazz musicians often highlight its dramatic harmonic tension and lyrical storytelling through swinging and stylized arrangements.