Jelly Roll Morton, born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe in October 1890 in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a pivotal figure in the development of early jazz music. An accomplished pianist, bandleader, and composer, Morton is often credited with revolutionizing jazz through his innovative compositions and arrangements that fused ragtime, blues, and Creole music. As the self-proclaimed "inventor of jazz," his influence reached far beyond his own performances, contributing significantly to the genre's broader acceptance and evolution. His complex rhythms, memorable melodies, and sophisticated orchestration marked a significant leap forward for jazz at a time when it was still emerging as a distinct musical form.

Morton's most notable period came in the mid to late 1920s when he formed Jelly Roll Morton & His Red Hot Peppers and began recording with Victor Records. These recordings are considered crucial documents of early jazz, encapsulating the exuberant spirit and dynamism of the Roaring Twenties. Tracks like "Dr Jazz," "Black Bottom Stomp," and "New Orleans Bump" showcase the band's tight ensemble playing, while Morton's virtuosic piano provides the driving force behind their sound. His storytelling within song introductions and the band's intricate group improvisations were groundbreaking, helping to document and define the jazz language for generations to come. Despite his decline in popularity in the following decades, mainly due to the Great Depression and changing musical tastes, Jelly Roll Morton's sound and his Red Hot Peppers' complete Victor Recordings remain a timeless testament to his genius and an essential chapter in the annals of jazz history.

Genres

Dixieland

Hot Jazz

Ragtime

Vintage Jazz

Latest Release

Dr Jazz (The Complete Victor Recordings 1926-1927)

Jelly Roll Morton & His Red Hot Peppers

Album - 15 Tracks - Released January 1, 2015