CELIA - CEMENT MIXER.PDF - Free Jazz Leadsheet

This entry reflects two related mid-20th-century novelty pieces often paired in performer set lists: “celia,” a bebop composition, and “cement mixer,” a comedic song popularized in the 1940s. Early recordings of “celia,” written by Bud Powell, date to the late 1940s, while “cement mixer” was introduced by Slim Gaillard during World War II.

Both pieces became staples of club performance for their contrasting characters—one modern and harmonically rich, the other humorous and rhythmically playful. Each offers ample room for improvisation and remains appealing to musicians who enjoy mixing straight-ahead jazz with lighthearted material.