Tenor Madness
(by Sonny Rollins)

  Tenor Madness (Chord Melody and Lead Sheet)

One of the most popular blues tune in jazz. Composed by Sonny Rollins; recorded for the first time in 1956 and re-released recently.

More info on allaboutjazz.com

This bluesy jazz tune is built around a very simple yet effective blues riff. It is often called at jam sessions by ...tenor saxophone players!

Yes, it's a "Bb blues" ... you guessed it!

This tune can be played at different tempos. The tendency for saxes is usually in the medium-up range. You can learn it slower (medium swing) and use more chordal ornamentation. Fun tune to play and blow on. Enjoy!

Video Demonstration

Tenor Madness jazz guitar chord melody demonstrated, with some improvisation. See the pdf (with TABS) for the complete arrangement. This chord melody PDF contains :
 
-the leadsheet (chord symbols + melody),
-the chord melody arrangement (played in the video here)
-a basic chord chart (basic guitar shapes for you to use.)

Suggested listening :

Sonny Rollins' album Tenor Madness from 1956. Features delightful exchange of ideas between Rollins and John Coltrane. That is where the two giants of tenor saxophone from the 50's and 60's were recorded together for the first time!

Watch the master play it "live" !