EARLY AUTUMN - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"early autumn" was composed by Ralph Burns and Woody Herman with lyrics by Johnny Mercer in 1949. The song conveys a reflective, mellow mood, inspired by the changing seasons and the passage of time.

The first recording was by Woody Herman and His Orchestra in New York, featuring a memorable saxophone solo that became a hallmark of the piece. Subsequent recordings by Stan Getz, Ella Fitzgerald, and others have reinforced its status as a classic ballad.

The composition features a 32-bar AABA structure with lyrical, flowing melodies and sophisticated harmonies, providing opportunities for expressive solos and ensemble arrangements.