ICE CREAM - Free Jazz Leadsheet

Composed by Harry Link, Haven Gillespie, and Richard Whiting in 1926, "ice cream" is a playful, jazz-influenced song with whimsical lyrics and a catchy, light-hearted melody. Its charm and rhythmic vitality made it a favorite in both popular music and jazz circles.

The first recording was by Gene Austin in New York in 1926, featuring his smooth vocal delivery. Later recordings by Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday helped reinforce the song’s playful character and adaptability for jazz improvisation.

The lyrics celebrate simple pleasures with humor and sweetness, while the musical structure is a 32-bar AABA form with a buoyant melody, offering performers opportunities for phrasing variation and lighthearted embellishment.