'American Classic' is an album of covers of Great American Songbook standards, released by Willie Nelson in 2009 under Blue Note Records. Produced by Nelson and James Stroud, the record includes classics such as 'The Nearness of You', 'Fly Me to the Moon', and 'Come Rain or Come Shine'. Recording took place at Capitol Studios in Hollywood and at Nelson's studio in Texas.
The album features collaborations with prominent musicians such as pianist Norah Jones, who duets on 'Baby, It's Cold Outside', and singer Diana Krall, who appears on 'If I Had You'. Stroud's production brought an orchestral and sophisticated sound, moving away from Nelson's traditional country style into jazz and classic pop.
'American Classic' was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2010. It received praise for Nelson's unique interpretation of these standards, showcasing his versatility as a vocalist. The album reached number 1 on the Billboard jazz chart and number 43 on the Billboard 200.