EASY DOES IT - Free Jazz Leadsheet
"easy does it" was composed by Sy Oliver and Trummy Young in 1939. The song embodies a relaxed swing feel and lyrical elegance, inviting nuanced phrasing and subtle rhythmic interplay.
The first recording was by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra in New York, featuring brass and reed instruments in smooth, conversational lines. Subsequent performances by Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and other jazz ensembles have highlighted its swing sophistication.
The tune follows a 32-bar AABA structure with clear harmonic progressions, making it ideal for both small-group improvisation and big-band arrangements.