A PORTER'S LOVE SONG - Free Jazz Leadsheet

'A Porter's Love Song' was composed by James P. Johnson in the 1920s, with its first recordings by vaudeville performers highlighting its lyrical charm and rhythmic sophistication. The tune blends elements of early jazz with memorable melodic phrasing.

Later interpretations by vocalists and small jazz ensembles, including recordings by Fats Waller, emphasized both the song's warmth and its subtle complexity, making it a staple in jazz repertoires.

The melody is smooth and flowing, often allowing for expressive vocal lines or instrumental improvisation, while the lyrics tell a heartfelt, romantic story with gentle humor and sentimentality.