Baby won't you please come home

Baby Won't You Please Come Home is a classic blues song written by Charles Warfield and Clarence Williams. It was published in 1919 and soon became one of the best-known blues songs of the early twentieth century before evolving into a widely performed jazz standard. The first major hit recording was made by Bessie Smith in 1923.

Django Reinhardt recorded the tune in 1937, performing as guitarist with Bill Coleman and His Orchestra. Although it was not recorded by the Quintette du Hot Club de France, Django's guitar playing brought his unmistakable Gypsy Jazz style to the arrangement.

Musical character:
Originally written as a slow blues, Baby Won't You Please Come Home is often performed as a medium- or up-tempo swing tune. Its straightforward 32-bar structure and blues-inflected melody make it an excellent vehicle for improvisation, and it has remained a favorite among jazz musicians for generations.

Connection to Manouche jazz:
Although the song was originally an American blues composition, Django Reinhardt's 1937 recording introduced it into the Gypsy Jazz repertoire. Today it is occasionally played by Manouche musicians, especially those who enjoy exploring Django's lesser-known recordings beyond the standard Hot Club repertoire.

Interesting facts:

• The song was published in 1919 and is considered one of the earliest blues compositions to become an international jazz standard.
• The first widely successful recording was made by Bessie Smith in 1923, helping establish the song's popularity.
• Django Reinhardt recorded the tune on 19 November 1937 with Bill Coleman and His Orchestra, contributing memorable lead guitar throughout the performance.
• The song has been recorded by numerous jazz legends, including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.
• More than a century after it was written, it remains a regular part of traditional jazz and swing repertoires around the world.

Baby Won't You Please Come Home is a timeless blues and jazz standard whose emotional melody and flexible harmony have inspired countless interpretations. Django Reinhardt's recording provides a distinctive Manouche perspective on this enduring American classic.