BLUE AND SENTIMENTAL - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"blue and sentimental" was composed in 1938 by Count Basie, Mack David, and Jerry Livingston. Its first recording was made on June 6, 1938, by the Count Basie Orchestra in New York, featuring Basie’s distinctive swing-era sound. The piece has been revived by numerous artists, including a notable version by saxophonist Ike Quebec in the early 1960s, and remains a staple in the jazz-blues repertoire.

The mood of the song is reflective and melancholy, expressed through melody and soloing rather than dramatic lyrics. Musically, the tune uses a blues-inflected harmonic progression over a moderate swing rhythm, giving soloists room to explore within a concise, elegant form.