THE SURREY WITH A FRINGE ON TOP - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"The Surrey with a Fringe on Top" was composed by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1943 musical "Oklahoma!" The song was introduced in the original Broadway production, where it served as a lighthearted duet.

Early cast recordings and radio broadcasts helped popularize the tune beyond the theater. Although not originally conceived as a jazz standard, its memorable melody and clear form attracted the attention of jazz musicians.

Notable jazz interpretations later came from artists such as Ahmad Jamal and Miles Davis, whose versions emphasized the tune’s rhythmic flexibility. Its adaptability has kept it active in both vocal and instrumental contexts.