Derived from the Top 100 Standards list on the Jazz Standards site plus a bunch of personal additions that I think are just fun to know! This means the following is a mix of the great American songbook, bebop, and jazz originals. I find that if you know most of these, you can hold your own on a jam session. Just be sure that YOU call or suggest the tunes whenever possible! If someone else calls the tunes, do your best to sort it out "on the bandstand." The more of these that you internalize, the more you will find patterns, melodies, and progressions that are common to all of them. Then...after the session, HIT THE SHED and learn the tune you weren't sure of! (REMEMBER: The tunes that are in the blues format–many of which have become standards in their own right–are listed on the Blues Heads page here at Leadology. Be sure to learn a bunch of those as well!)

Many of these tunes are in the original format and key with vocalized lyrics–such as Judy Garland's original version of "Over The Rainbow"– while some of them are in the vocalist's preferred key. Therefore, it behooves all of us to know these in multiple keys! Learn them in the key the link is in, and at least two other close keys. For example, the link might be in "Eb" so also learn the tune in "F" and "G."

Some selections are in the "oft-played jazz instrumental key" and show some wicked cool jazz vocabulary melodic variation (such as Dexter on "What's New?" CHECK OUT THE ENTIRE ALBUM–"A Day in Copenhagen" these Slide Hampton arrangements –and his playing–are STELLAR!.) Use these as a starting point and do some further exploration and research. The idea here is to learn these by ear in much the same way you would learn them organically on the bandstand.

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I've also included some choice discussions on the tunes where possible by the likes of Barry Harris and my pal Eric Gunnison. Take the time to check these out, it's GREAT stuff!

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Wherever possible, I have included a link to a video (actual film or MP3 video) of the tune in the key it's most often played. However, as is mentioned above, learn the melody in two or three other keys as well! Vocalists choose keys that reflect their personal range best, while instrumentalists might transpose the tune to fit a specific texture or instrumentation along with a preference. The iconic trombonist J.J.Johnson was famous for recording pieces in unusual keys such as his  version of "Stella by Starlight" in Eb. One of my FAVORITE solos on this tune. Cool intro and form too. Check it out. JJ!!!!!

I recommend that once you have memorized the melody and tried to discern the changes BY EAR, that you then check a lead sheet to fill in the gaps. Thus you will internalize the tune rather than just reading it. These need to be memorized! Put together your own personal "vault" ASAP.

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Of course: this list will be expanding FOREVER! (send me the name of a tune that you feel should be on this list! zoon.eejazz@gmail.com)

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ENJOY!