I AIN'T GOT NOBODY - Free Jazz Leadsheet

"i ain't got nobody," composed by Spencer Williams in 1915, is a jazz and blues standard reflecting loneliness and longing in its lyrics. The song's narrative conveys emotional depth over a straightforward harmonic structure.

The first recording, by Marion Harris in New York, 1915, emphasized expressive vocal phrasing alongside rhythmic accompaniment, setting the stage for future jazz and blues interpretations. Its 12-bar blues roots make it flexible for improvisation.

Subsequent recordings by Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith reinforced its status as a jazz classic, celebrated for its melodic accessibility and emotional resonance across generations of performers.