Lament is a jazz ballad by the American jazz trombonist J.J. Johnson (1924-2001), who is credited as its sole composer. The song is in the key of F. The original recording was made on 24 August 1954 by Johnson and Kai Winding together, and it was first released in 1955 on the album Jay & Kai, where the track is listed under the jazz and bop category. The writer is not credited with lyrics for the song.
Later recordings include a 1955 version by Hazel Scott and a 1957 version by Miles Davis with Gil Evans. The Jazztet recorded it in 1961, and Chet Baker, Pat Martino and Branford Marsalis also made versions. The song has been sung as well, notably by Karin Krog in 1975 and by Mark Murphy in 1997.
