I am frequently asked:

What Jazz tunes should I learn first?

A jazz standard is a song that is known and performed by virtually all jazz
players. There are hundreds --if not thousands-- of songs considered
standards. Many standards began as songs written for movies and Broadway
plays while others were written by Jazz performers. Most seasoned jazz
players have the technical ability and experience to play many standards in
any key. However most of the standards, especially when performed
instrumentally, are in a key familiar to all. For example Misty is in Eb, All The
Things You Are is in Fm/Ab, Body and Soul in in Db, Cherokee is in Bb, etc.
Note: Vocalists may request (or require) a standard be in a key that is in a
comfortable range. Some players enjoy the challenge and/or the interest of
playing a tune in non-standard key
All jazz styles (Dixieland, Swing, Blues, Bebop, Cool, Contemporary and
Avant-garde) have songs that are standard to that style. And many jazz
players memorize standards from all eras and styles.
I have put together a "Top 10" list of mainstream standards. There are many
tunes that could and should be here, but I believe most jazzers would agree
these are must-know tunes. Guitarists should be able to comp (play the chord
changes for soloists or singers) as well as play the melody and improvise to
these songs. Next to each title is a brief description of the tune and other
points of interest.

1. All The Things You Are (Ballad--in the Real Book) Due to it's
deceptively simple and pretty melody --along with it's challenging chord
and key changes-- All The Things You Are is probably the most played
standard. The song changes keys often, thus providing a very complex and
skill-sharpening accompaniment for soloists. It was written as a ballad, but
has been performed at fast tempos and in all popular jazz grooves (Ballad,
Swing and Latin.) This song has been jokingly referred to as "All The
Chords You Know"!. In the early 60's guitarist Hank Garland (who
influenced George Benson) and vibraphonist Gary Burton (at the time just
17 years old) recorded a cool up tempo version. I believe the album was
called "Jazz Winds From A New Direction".
2. Autumn Leaves (Ballad--in the Real Book--The Real Book chart is
here.) Beginning Jazzers may find Autumn Leaves a relatively simple tune
to start with because the chord changes can be reduced to one key (ex.
G/Em), which is not usually the case for Jazz standards. Like many
standards this was a pop tune and a commercial hit. It was written as a
ballad and has been performed as such by many jazz players. AL has been
played as Swing and/or Latin, and at tempos from slow to fast.
3. Donna Lee (Up tempo, Swing/Bebop--in the Real Book) Written and
performed by saxophonist Charlie Parker*. Parker is considered by many
the greatest and most influential of Jazz musicians. Along with some of
his contemporaries, Parker gave birth to BEBOP in the late 1940's (Bebop
melodies, chords and improvisation included extensive chromaticism).
Parker's blazing melodies often started as improvised solos, which he
played over chord changes to pop songs of the time. For example the
melody to Donna Lee is played over the chord changes to "Back Home In
Indiana". Any of Parker's tunes are mainstays in a jazz repertoire. If you
memorize, study and analyze any of Charlie Parker's "heads" (the melody)
you will come face to face with the fundamental components of jazz
improvisation. (*Paul from St. Paul wrote me and said "Though Donna
Lee is widely attributed to Bird, it's pretty certain that Miles Davis wrote
that line." hmm, interesitng....Visitors, let me know what you have heard
about this controversy....anc thanks Paul...LP)
4. Here's That Rainy Day (Ballad--in the Real Book) Jimmy Van
Huesen, the composer of this beautiful ballad, wrote many tunes that were
pop hits of the 40's and 50's. His surprising, yet logical sounding
harmonies (chords) and melodies had the sophistication many jazz
musicians appreciated and sought out. Here's That Rainy Day is such a
tune. It was written as a ballad and has been performed in all popular jazz
styles: ballad, swing and latin. A Jimmy Van Huesen song in your songlist
is essential.
5. Girl From Ipanema (Latin--in the Real Book) Musician, composer
and singer, Antonio Carlos Jobim wrote many extraordinary Latin classics
that, like the music of Jimmy Van Huesen (Here's That Rainy Day), had
very sophisticated and clever melodies and chords. The changes in "Girl"
are a good example of this sophistication. Like most of Jobim's songs this
one is a challenge for the improviser. Some arrangements have the verses
with a Latin feel and the bridge with a Swing feel.
6. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Medium Swing--in the Real
Book) The essential Duke Ellington was considered one of the greatest of
Jazz musicians, composers and band leaders. His tunes are found in most
jazz repertoires because, simply put, they swing like no others. This was
written as a medium swing and has been performed at varying tempos.
While the changes are typical of many great swing tunes the melody is
quite memorable --and remember the melody makes a song. Learn as
many of Duke's songs as you can.
7. Cherokee (Swing--usually played at fast tempos--in the Real Book)
The legend goes that Charlie Parker, after being laughed off stage by
musicians at a local club, went home and "wood-shedded" on Cherokee
until he could play and improvise to it in all twelve keys, at blazing
tempos. If true --and it is believable with Charlie Parker-- this would be
quite a musical feat. Cherokee changes keys at least half a dozen times and
because it is often played at warp speed, it is considered "the" tune that
separates the "monster technique" men from the boys. However, don't be
daunted by this. Most of the great players, like Wes Montgomery, had
good technique (not monster technique) and played some of the most
memorable solos ever. Cherokee has been performed as swing and latin.
8. Honeysuckle Rose (Swing--medium to fast) This swing tune by Fats
Waller has been recorded numerous times, with varying arrangements.
Waller, an entertaining performer and superb pianist in the stride tradition,
wrote many swing tunes that became standards (another is Ain't
Misbehavin'). The changes are relatively simple, which can present a
challenge to the improviser, in that the harmonic background (the chord
changes) doesn't make the solo, instead your solo must make the most of
the changes.
9. How High The Moon (Swing--medium to fast--in the Real Book)
This pop hit was recorded by singer Mary Ford, accompanied by guitarist
Les Paul. (By the way Les Paul exploited lots of heretofore unused studio
gimmicks and tricks to create an exciting solo). The song has many
challenging key and chord changes that may require the player to apply
extensive study along with trial and error to create a cohesive solo. A
classic swing tune (memorable melody, great changes) HHTM has been
performed in all popular jazz styles ballad, swing and latin.
10. Night and Day (Swing--in the Real Book) A prolific song writer,
Cole Porter's catchy and recognizable tunes have been covered by
hundreds of artists and Jazzers, for several generations. Like many
standards this was a hit made popular by pop artists of the
time--singer/dancer/actor Fred Astaire sang this in a movie ("The Gay
Divorcee"). The incomparable singer, Ella Fitzgerald, recorded an album
called "The Cole Porter Songbook" which is probably still available.
Learning standards from great singers like Ella, Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker
etc, is an excellent way to learn the melody and some cool phrasing..
There are hundreds more. So start by learning (memorizing) the chords
and melodies to these, then get the "Real Book" (a huge compilation of
Jazz standards) and learn as many as you can!