CAKEWALKING BABIES - Free Jazz Leadsheet

“cakewalking babies,” often listed as “cake walking babies from home,” was composed in 1924 by Chris Smith and Henry Troy with lyrics by Clarence Williams. The first notable recording was made that same year by Clarence Williams’ Blue Five in New York, featuring the celebrated pairing of Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet, whose dynamic interplay made the record a landmark of early jazz.

The song has since been revisited by traditional-jazz groups and revival bands. Its lyrics evoke the cakewalk tradition with light humor, while the music features brisk tempos, tight ensemble breaks, and a structure that leaves space for spirited improvisation, reflecting the exuberance of 1920s jazz.