Jelly Roll

In the intimate atmosphere of one of New Orleans's premier jazz clubs, Lulu White's Mahogany Hall on Bourbon Street, the music that set the city on fire: the authentic sounds of Jelly Roll Morton's jazz is performed by the legendary Dukes of Dixieland and Danny Barker, one of Jelly Roll's own musicians. Ferdinand Lamothe aka Jelly Roll Morton was one of the first great composers and piano players of Jazz. He was a talented arranger and musician who wrote special scores that took advantage of the three-minute limitations of the 78 rpm record. Even more than this, he was a real character whose spirit shines brightly through history - like his diamond studded smile

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.

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.

This CD traces Jelly Roll Morton's period in New York, starting with his second record date in the Big Apple. A few of the sessions have Morton joined by an excess of musicians, with the results certainly being spirited, if bordering on getting out of control. "Tank Town Bump" and "Red Hot Pepper Stomp" are the best of these numbers. In addition, Morton is heard on four excellent piano solos (including "Seattle Hunch" and "Freakish"), leading a nucleus taken from the Luis Russell Orchestra on four other songs, and playing as a sideman with vaudevillian clarinetist Wilton Crawley's pickup band, sometimes to hilarious effect. One of the true jazz giants, every recording by Jelly Roll Morton is well worth acquiring in one form or another.