Sweet and Lovely is a 1931 jazz standard originally recorded by Gus Arnheim and His Orchestra, the Coconut Grove house band in Los Angeles. Lyrics are by Harry Tobias and the music is credited to Charles N. Daniels, who is sometimes linked to pseudonyms Jules Lemare and Neil Moret. The tune is written in a classic AABA form and is known for its inventive harmonies that invite improvisation. It became a chart hit in 1931 and has since become part of the Great American Songbook, often heard as an instrumental piece with no vocals. The tune has been widely interpreted, including notable instrumental readings by Thelonious Monk on the albums Monk's Dream and a Carnegie Hall live recording with John Coltrane.
