Avalon – Free Jazz Lead Sheet
F Major – Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva, Vincent Rose 1920
Avalon (1920) by Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva, and Vincent Rose is a classic early jazz standard. View this free online lead sheet in F major, including melody and chords for jazz performance.
About this song:
Avalon (1920) is an early jazz and popular song standard associated with vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley songwriting traditions. The song became widely performed in early jazz dance orchestras and Dixieland-style ensembles during the 1920s and swing era. Its bright melodic lines and strong harmonic progression make it suitable for improvisation and ensemble interaction.
This free online lead sheet presents the melody and chord structure in F major, making it ideal for jazz bands, small combos, and solo instrumental performance. Musicians can use it to study early jazz phrasing, rhythmic drive, and stylistic interpretation.
About the Composer: Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva, Vincent Rose
Al Jolson (1886–1950) was a popular American singer and entertainer known for his influence on early 20th-century popular music and Broadway performance styles. Buddy DeSylva (1895–1950) was a major Tin Pan Alley lyricist and later film producer who helped shape American popular songwriting. Vincent Rose (1880–1944) was a composer and bandleader known for popular dance music and early jazz-influenced songs. Their collaboration on "Avalon" produced a popular standard that was widely recorded by dance bands and jazz ensembles. The song reflects the transition from theatrical popular music into early jazz repertoire.
Musical Structure and Form
Typically performed in 32-bar AABA form in F major, the tune features bright melodic contours, straightforward harmonic movement, and rhythmic flexibility that supports swing-style improvisation and ensemble arrangement.
