Style:

Swing, usually played at slow-medium tempos.

Form:

A-A-B-A-C (40 Bars) [8-8-8-8-8]

Arrangements:

The final C section is an addition by Miles Davis which has become synonymous with the tune. It typically tends to be included in performances.

Key:

Bb Major

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony of this composition is functional and is made up primarily of  II - V's. The A sections begin with IImi7b5 - V7b9 - VImi, and continue with IImi - V7 - IMaj7 - IVMaj7. The 3rd and 4th bars are then repeated  down a Major 3rd before a final II - V back to the tonic finishes off the section. Miles Davis is responsible for the addition of ending the  melody on E♮ (#11) here, and this has come to be how most musicians play  it. The bridge begins with a II - V of IIIMaj7, and this happens twice.  Brubeck treated the III in both instances as Maj7, where as Miles Davis first resolves to IIImi before arriving at IIIMaj7 the second time  around. The changes in the last 4 bars of the bridge tend to see many different treatments, and many lead sheets also tend to contain opposing  changes. Brubeck and Miles however treated this part of the tune  similarly, more or less as: Dmin7 - G7 - Em7 - Eb7 - Dmin7b5 - Ab7 - G7. Miles Davis also added an 8 bar C section revolving around a bVII13sus  vamp.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 230 times and is one of Dave Brubeck's most  popular compositions. It was first recorded by Miles Davis on his album Collector's Items in 1956, however a home piano recording of Dave Brubeck performing the piece would be released first on the album Brubeck Plays Brubeck. Many of the leading jazz artists of the time left behind recordings of  this piece, and it continues to be one of the most cherished Brubeck  standards in the repertoire.

JGC Top Picks:

Miles Davis, Workin' With the Miles Davis Quintet, 1956

Bill Evans, How My Heart Sings!, 1962

Dave Brubeck, All the Things We Are, 1974