BLACK COFFEE - Free Jazz Leadsheet

Composed by Sonny Burke with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster in 1948, "Black Coffee" was first recorded by Sarah Vaughan in New York City. The recording immediately highlighted the song's moody, introspective quality.

It has since been recorded by numerous vocalists including Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee, often interpreted as a blues-infused torch song.

The lyrics explore loneliness and longing in a nighttime urban setting. Musically, the song features a slow 32-bar form with rich harmonic progressions and opportunities for expressive phrasing.