List of 1920s jazz standards

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Trumpeter, bandleader and singer Louis Armstrong was an important innovator of early jazz. He introduced many contemporary popular songs to the jazz world that are now considered standards. Louis Armstrong restored.jpg
Trumpeter, bandleader and singer Louis Armstrong was an important innovator of early jazz. He introduced many contemporary popular songs to the jazz world that are now considered standards.

Jazz standards are musical compositions that are widely known, performed and recorded by jazz artists as part of the genre's musical repertoire. This list includes compositions written in the 1920s that are considered standards by at least one major book publication or reference work. Some of the tunes listed were already well-known standards by the 1930s, while others were popularized later. The time of the most influential recordings of a song, where appropriate, is indicated on the list.

Contents

A period known as the "Jazz Age" started in the United States in the 1920s. Jazz had become popular music in the country, although older generations considered the music immoral and threatening to old cultural values. [3] Dances such as the Charleston and the Black Bottom were very popular during the period, and jazz bands typically consisted of seven to twelve musicians. Important orchestras in New York were led by Fletcher Henderson, Paul Whiteman and Duke Ellington. Many New Orleans jazzmen had moved to Chicago during the late 1910s in search of employment; among others, the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band and Jelly Roll Morton recorded in the city. However, Chicago's importance as a center of jazz music started to diminish toward the end of the 1920s in favor of New York. [4]

In the early years of jazz, record companies were often eager to decide what songs were to be recorded by their artists. Popular numbers in the 1920s were pop hits such as "Sweet Georgia Brown", "Dinah" and "Bye Bye Blackbird". The first jazz artist to be given some liberty in choosing his material was Louis Armstrong, whose band helped popularize many of the early standards in the 1920s and 1930s. [5]

Some compositions written by jazz artists have endured as standards, including Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Ain't Misbehavin'". The most recorded 1920s standard is Hoagy Carmichael and Mitchell Parish's "Stardust". [6] Several songs written by Broadway composers in the 1920s have become standards, such as George and Ira Gershwin's "The Man I Love" (1924), Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies" (1927) and Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?" (1929). However, it was not until the 1930s that musicians became comfortable with the harmonic and melodic sophistication of Broadway tunes and started including them regularly in their repertoire. [4]

1920–1923

1924–1925

Jazz pianist Fats Waller wrote many of the early jazz standards, including "Squeeze Me" (1925), "Ain't Misbehavin'" (1929) and "Honeysuckle Rose" (1929). Fats Waller edit.jpg
Jazz pianist Fats Waller wrote many of the early jazz standards, including "Squeeze Me" (1925), "Ain't Misbehavin'" (1929) and "Honeysuckle Rose" (1929).

1926–1927

Cole Porter was one of the few Tin Pan Alley songwriters to write both lyrics and music for his songs. His standards include "What Is This Thing Called Love?" (1929), "Love for Sale" (1930) and "Night and Day" (1932). Coleporter.jpg
Cole Porter was one of the few Tin Pan Alley songwriters to write both lyrics and music for his songs. His standards include "What Is This Thing Called Love?" (1929), "Love for Sale" (1930) and "Night and Day" (1932).

1928

1929

Notes

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  2. Collier 1985, p. 3
  3. Faulkner, Anne Shaw (August 1921). "Does Jazz Put the Sin in Syncopation?". Ladies Home Journal: 16–34. Archived from the original on 20 June 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
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  23. Brooks & Spottswood 2004, p. 407
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  26. 1 2 "China Boy". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  27. Kernfeld 1995, pp. 40–41
  28. "Farewell Blues". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
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  30. Lichtenstein & Dankner 1993, p. 60
  31. Kenney 1993, p. 100
  32. Jasen 2002, p. 57
  33. I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate sheet music Tulane University Digital Library; Louisiana Sheet Music Archived 2014-02-26 at the Wayback Machine
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  35. "Charleston". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  36. 1 2 Jasen 2003, pp. 73–74
  37. Phillips 2002, p. 86
  38. 1 2 Studwell 1994, p. 117
  39. "Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals (Tin Roof Blues)". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
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  41. Kernfeld 1995, p. 7
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  43. "Everybody Loves My Baby". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  44. 1 2 Shaw 1989, p. 149
  45. Nollen 2004, p. 24
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  48. Jasen 2003, p. 4
  49. 1 2 Jasen 2002, p. 70
  50. "How Come You Do Me Like You Do?". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  51. Tucker 1995, p. 174
  52. 1 2 Jasen 2002, p. 78
  53. "King Porter Stomp". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  54. 1 2 Giddins 2000, p. 517
  55. Jasen 2007, p. 122
  56. Schuller 1991, p. 21
  57. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Listed in The Real Jazz Book
  58. "The Man I Love". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  59. 1 2 "Oh, Lady be Good!". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  60. Schuller 1991, p. 230
  61. Oliphant 1996, pp. 118–119
  62. "Riverboat Shuffle". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  63. Bogdanov, Woodstra & Erlewine 2002, p. 201
  64. 1 2 3 Jasen 2003, p. 66
  65. Sudhalter 2003, p. 70
  66. The Real Book, Volume I, p. 369
  67. "Somebody Loves Me". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  68. The Real Book, Volume II, p. 104
  69. 1 2 "Dinah". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  70. 1 2 Jasen 2002, p. 47
  71. Jasen 2003, pp. 6–7
  72. "Don't Bring Lulu". International Lyrics Playground. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  73. "Don't Bring Lulu". SecondHandSong. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  74. Listed in The Real Book, Volume V
  75. Gioia 2012, pp. 185–186
  76. "I Want to Be Happy". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  77. "I Want To Be Happy". Youtube. Google. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2024. [Editor's note: This is the audio (with photo of the record sleve) of the 1937 recording of the song by Chick Web & his orchestra, featuring Ella Fitzgerald on vocals. It was the second theme song for 'Counterpoint, the radio show & podcast from the Radio National (RN) service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).']
  78. The Real Book, Volume III, p. 377
  79. 1 2 3 4 "Squeeze Me". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  80. Furia & Lasser 2006, p. 51
  81. Studwell & Baldin 2000, p. 163
  82. 1 2 "Sweet Georgia Brown". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  83. "Alabama Music Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 20 April 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  84. 1 2 3 "Tea for Two". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  85. 1 2 3 "Grammy Hall of Fame Award winners". Grammy.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  86. Studwell 1994, p. 141
  87. Furia 1992, p. 72
  88. Shaw 1989, p. 158
  89. Zinsser 2006, p. 52
  90. Ginsburg, Murray (March 2006). "The Genius Who Wrote both Words and Music". Journal into Melody. Archived from the original on 4 March 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  91. Bogdanov, Woodstra & Erlewine 2002, p. 140
  92. Collier 1985, pp. 175–176
  93. Nettl & Russell 1998, p. 205
  94. The Real Book, Volume II, p. 73
  95. The New Real Book, Volume II, p. 35
  96. 1 2 "Bye Bye Blackbird". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
  97. The Real Book, Volume III, p. 92
  98. "Deed I Do". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  99. Jasen 2002, p. 45
  100. Jasen 2003, p. 352
  101. Hoffmann & Ferstler 2005, p. 445
  102. "Artists – Ruth Etting". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 9 September 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  103. 1 2 "If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  104. Diggs & Haddix 2006, p. 89
  105. 1 2 3 "I've Found a New Baby". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  106. The Real Book, Volume II, p. 188
  107. Woideck 1998, pp. 87–89
  108. "Muskrat Ramble". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2009.
  109. "'Muskrat' Decision May Spark Hassle". Billboard. 15 December 1956. p. 28. ISSN   0006-2510.
  110. 1 2 3 Anderson & Budds 2007, p. 74
  111. Wintz & Finkelman 2004, p. 940
  112. "Someone to Watch Over Me". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  113. 1 2 3 "Sugar (That Sugar Baby O' Mine)". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  114. Jasen & Jones 1998, p. 189
  115. Crawford & Magee 1992, p. 77
  116. Studwell & Baldin 2000, p. 49
  117. The Real Book, Volume II, p. 58
  118. Everett & Laird 2002, pp. 226–227
  119. 1 2 3 4 "Blue Skies". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  120. 1 2 "'S Wonderful!". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  121. The Real Book, Volume II, p. 37
  122. Listed in The New Real Book, Volume I
  123. "Basin Street Blues". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  124. Jasen 2002, p. 41
  125. "Crazy Rhythm". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  126. 1 2 "The Creole Love Call". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  127. The Real Book, Volume III, p. 88
  128. 1 2 Cipolla & Hunsberger 2006, p. 82
  129. Lawrence 2001, p. 112
  130. Schuller 1986, p. 330
  131. ""I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby" at Jazz Standards". Archived from the original on 2014-01-04. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  132. "If I Had You". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  133. The Real Book, Volume III, p. 258
  134. 1 2 "Lover, Come Back to Me". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  135. 1 2 Hischak 2007, p. 168
  136. 1 2 "Mack The Knife". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  137. "Nagasaki". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  138. Crawford & Magee 1992, pp. 53–54
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  141. The Real Book, Volume II, p. 355
  142. "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  143. Gioia, Ted. "The Modern Jazz Quartet: Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise". Jazz.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  144. Giddins 2004, p. 129
  145. The New Real Book, Volume III, p. 369
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  147. 1 2 3 "Sweet Lorraine". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
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  149. Gourse, Leslie, Unforgettable: The Life and Mystique of Nat King Cole. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1991. ISBN   0-312-05982-5
  150. The Real Book, Volume III, p. 13
  151. The New Real Book, Volume II, p. 6
  152. "Ain't Misbehavin'". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  153. "Black and Blue". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  154. The New Real Book, Volume II, p. 22
  155. 1 2 David Tenenholtz. "Fats Waller biography". Jazz.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  156. The Real Book, Volume II, p. 167
  157. The New Real Book, Volume II, p. 134
  158. 1 2 "Honeysuckle Rose". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  159. The New Real Book, Volume III, p. 196
  160. "Just You, Just Me". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  161. 1 2 Tyle, Chris. "Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  162. Jasen 2002, p. 121
  163. The Real Book, Volume III, p. 274
  164. The New Real Book, Volume II, p. 201
  165. "Mean to Me". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  166. The Real Book, Volume II, p. 277
  167. "More Than You Know". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  168. "Rockin' Chair". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  169. The Real Book, Volume III, p. 337
  170. The New Real Book, Volume II, p. 309
  171. Jasen 2003, p. 67
  172. Sudhalter 2003, p. 128
  173. Wilder & Maher 1972, p. 374
  174. Jasen 2002, p. 165
  175. The Real Book, Volume II, p. 367
  176. The New Real Book, Volume II, p. 345
  177. "Star Dust". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  178. "What Is This Thing Called Love?". JazzStandards.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.

Bibliography

Reference works