OLD FOLKS - Free Jazz Leadsheet

“Old Folks” was composed by Willard Robison with lyrics by Dedette Lee Hill in 1938. The song is a jazz ballad celebrating the lives and experiences of the elderly, characterized by its tender melody and introspective mood.

The first recording was by Mildred Bailey with small jazz accompaniment, emphasizing the song’s lyrical expression and subtle harmonic shifts. Its 32-bar structure allows for improvisation while maintaining lyrical clarity.

Later interpretations by Miles Davis, Don Byas, and Tony Bennett preserved its emotive qualities. The lyrics and melody invite reflective performance, highlighting warmth, nostalgia, and sentimentality.