Wasn't sure wither or not to post this here or in the "adult beginners" forum..

As a somewhat beginner to Jazz, but familiar with the piano, I've been on a HUGE jazz kick recently.
Standards I've been learning (out of Real Book vol. 1,2,3):
1. Autumn Leaves
2. Blue Monk
3. In A Sentimental Mood
4. Fly Me To The Moon (haven't tried this one yet)


If you're a beginner, what are you jamming with now? or if you're advanced and have jazz experience up the fanny, can you think back to the first few jazz songs you really felt for?

Solar
What is this thing called love
Summertime
Beautiful Love
Blue Bossa

The great Barry Harris once told me that Cherokee (by Ray Noble) is the quintessential standard because it incorporates just about every common progression in basic jazz harmony. Lots of ii-V-I's and secondary dominants. He also said to practice tunes in 12 keys.

Other good 'beginner' tunes to consider:

All the Things You Are
On Green Dolphin St.
Someday My Prince Will Come
Body and Soul
Lady Bird (Tadd Dameron)
Tune Up (Miles Davis)
Yesterdays
Straight No Chaser (Thelonious Monk)
Blue in Green (Miles/Bill Evans)

You can start with Blues and Rhythm Changes first, and work them in the most common keys (C,F,Bb,Eb,Ab,G) and eventually in all keys. You will start to notice how similar most tunes are to blues and rhythm changes.

Essentially most standards are set of i-vi-ii-v (or it's variation) and they usually to another key in the middle (most likely the IV, V or relative major/minor) It may not explain everything but you'll will be able to figure out at least 50-60% of the tune very quickly with that knowledge.

Take for example "Black Orpheus". The tune is mostly in A minor, and it temporarily goes to C(relative major) or d minor(iv) with the use of ii-v-I's. That is a lot easier to remember than having to memorize all the chords on that tune.

Stardust, Deep Purple, Lazy River, But Beautiful, If I Had You, Birth Of The Blues, St. Louis Blues, Love Letters, Lovesick Blues (a country tune that's not so simple)etc.

Watch The Lawrence Welk Show on YouTube or via DVDs for lots of songs.

Bech