MELANCHOLY - Free Jazz Leadsheet

“Melancholy Blues” (sometimes simply “Melancholy”) was composed by Marty Bloom and Walter Melrose in 1927. The piece blends blues sentiment with early jazz harmony, offering a reflective and poignant mood.

The first notable recording was made on May 11, 1927, by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven in Chicago, featuring Armstrong’s trumpet alongside Johnny Dodds, Lil Armstrong, and others. The song’s structure and mood lend themselves to both ensemble interplay and solo improvisation, making it a classic example of early jazz‑blues crossovers.