TEA FOR TWO - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"Tea for Two" was composed by Vincent Youmans with lyrics by Irving Caesar for the 1925 musical "No, No, Nanette." The first prominent recording emerged that same year, performed by the composer’s orchestra in New York, quickly becoming one of the decade’s most recognizable popular songs.

The tune has inspired countless jazz interpretations, including versions by Art Tatum, Django Reinhardt, and later big-band and vocal arrangers. Its lyrics paint a cozy vision of domestic bliss, while the music follows a sprightly 32-bar form with characteristic 1920s harmonic motion. The melody’s buoyant leaps and rhythmic flexibility have made it a favorite both for improvisers and for theatrical reimaginings.