Jelly Roll

Part of Classics' excellent chronological series, this examines Jelly Roll's recordings from 1923 to 1924, beginning with a Paramount single with his orchestra, "Big Fat Ham," followed by "Muddy Water Blues." Next up are the first six issued Gennett piano solos, then stray singles by Morton's Jazz Band, Steamboat Four, and Stomp Kings. These are proceeded by four more piano solo sides, which were cut for Paramount, before finishing out with a marathon piano solo session for Gennett in 1924.

Michael Frank inaugurated his Earwig imprint with this 1979 album reteaming Frost, Johnson, and Carr in all their glory. Frank was mesmerized by the trio's almost telepathic musical interplay, a trait captured vividly by the album itself. This trio's repertoire was varied - the no-holds-barred "Slop Jar Blues" is offset by the bubbly instrumental "Sunshine Twist." Frost and Johnson share vocal duties.

This CD actually starts off with 14 selections that predate the Victors. Several of the early selections (such as the first four numbers, which include cornetist Lee Collins and trombonist Roy Palmer and "Soap Suds") are a bit disappointing due to the low-level recording quality. However, "My Gal" does have some good clarinet work from the underrated Volly DeFaut, there are four superb piano solos (including "The Pearls" and the definitive solo version of "King Porter Stomp"), and blues singer Edmonia Henderson is excellent on "Dead Man Blues" and "Georgia Grind." Despite these highlights, it is the final nine numbers on this disc that are most memorable. Morton is heard with his finest group, a septet with cornetist George Mitchell, trombonist Kid Ory, and clarinetist Omer Simeon…

The New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers originated back in January 2007 when musician brothers Luther & Cody Dickinson sat down for a guitar jam with ex-Squirrel Nut Zippers leader Jimbo Mathus along with Blues Greats Charlie Musselwhite, Alvin Youngblood Hart and the late Memphis pianist, producer and all around musical stylist Jim Dickinson gathered for a recording under the group name of the New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers.

Various Artists - The Compositions Of Jelly Roll Morton (1996) {Timeless Historical CBC1-027 rec 1923-1941}
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© 1923-41, 1996 Timeless Records Historical | CBC 1-027
Jazz / Early Jazz / Hot Jazz

Half a century after his death in 1941, Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton stands established not only as an outstanding jazz pianist who combined elements of ragtime, blues, vaudeville and hokum into a highly individual style, but also as the first truly significant jazz composer. This compilation presents a fascinating programme of Morton compositions recorded by both black and white groups.

Jelly Roll Morton - Last Sessions, The Complete General Recordings (1997) {CMD 14032 rec 1939-1940}
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© 1939-40, 1997 Commodore ‎| CMD-14032
Jazz / Early Jazz / Piano

This CD contains Jelly Roll Morton's final studio recordings (the only existing later performances by Morton are a couple of tunes from a radio broadcast) and supercedes an earlier two-LP Atlantic set. The main reason to acquire this 1997 CD is Morton's 13 classic piano solos, which include five vocals, his first on record other than the much earlier "Dr. Jazz" and the Library of Congress sides. Only ten of the solos were originally released, so this is a very complete reissue.