Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, known professionally as Jelly Roll Morton, was a pivotal figure in the early development of jazz music. Born on October 20, 1890, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Morton grew up in a vibrant, multicultural environment that nurtured his musical talent. Claiming to have invented jazz in 1902, Morton was a brash and confident character, leaving a profound mark on the genre as a pianist, composer, and arranger. His complex compositions and innovations in the jazz form set a high standard for musicians of his time and beyond.

Jelly Roll Morton's career spanned the pre-swing era of the 1920s and 1930s, with standout pieces such as "King Porter Stomp," "Wolverine Blues," and "Black Bottom Stomp" showcasing his unique blend of ragtime, blues, and Creole influences. The titles you've provided, like "Crazy Cords" and "Doctor Jazz," are emblematic of Morton's playful and masterful takes on jazz, whilst tracks such as "Pretty Baby" and "The Glory of Love" capture the lyrical sentiment and swinging romance characteristic of his era. Though his life was cut short, dying on July 10, 1941, his legacy endures through his extensive recordings and the musicians he has influenced. Morton was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an early influence, further solidifying his role as a cornerstone in the annals of American music.

Genres

Dixieland

Harlem Renaissance

Jazz Piano

Louisiana Blues

New Orleans Blues

New Orleans Jazz

Ragtime

Vintage Jazz

Related Artists

Louis Armstrong

Fats Waller

Duke Ellington

Sidney Bechet

Scott Joplin

King Oliver

Count Basie

Kid Ory

Art Tatum

Cab Calloway

Bessie Smith

Earl Hines

Latest Release

Nobody's Gonna Know

Jelly Roll Morton

Album - 11 Tracks - Released August 23, 2024