The Original Dixieland Jazz Band holds a prominent place in the annals of music history as the group that recorded the first jazz record ever. Formed in New Orleans and made up predominantly of white musicians, this band was a key figure in the popularization of jazz music in the early 20th century. The ensemble was established in 1916 by cornetist Nick LaRocca, and they quickly gained notoriety for their spirited and spontaneous performances.

Their landmark recording came in February 1917 with the release of "Livery Stable Blues" and "Dixie Jass Band One-Step," which introduced a wider audience to jazz and set the stage for the genre's explosion into mainstream popularity. Throughout their career, which saw several lineup changes and hiatuses, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band traveled extensively, including notable stints in New York and London, helping to spread the jazz idiom on both sides of the Atlantic. The band's influence waned with the rise of more innovative jazz artists in the 1920s, but their early recordings remain a testament to their role as jazz pioneers, a fact underscored by their numerous collections and remastered albums, such as "The First Jazz Recordings, 1917-1921" and "The Return 1935-38 - The Studio Performances." They left behind a legacy as the progenitors of a genre that would evolve into a complex and enduring art form.

Genres

Dixieland

New Orleans Jazz

Latest Release

Pioneers of Jazz (Remastered)

Original Dixieland Jazz Band

Album - 54 Tracks - Released September 10, 2021