Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

October 20, 1890 in New Orleans, LA

Death

:

July 10, 1941 in Los Angeles, CA

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Jelly Roll Morton was a prominent American jazz pianist and composer who was born on October 20, 1890, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His birth name was Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, but he later adopted the nickname "Jelly Roll" as a tribute to his African American heritage and his love for jelly roll cakes. Morton grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. He was largely self-taught and developed a unique style that blended elements of ragtime, blues, and jazz. He was also a skilled arranger and bandleader, and his compositions and arrangements were known for their complex harmonies and intricate rhythms. Morton began his professional career as a pianist in the red-light district of New Orleans, playing in brothels and saloons. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented musician and began performing in more upscale venues, including the city's leading dance halls and theaters. In 1915, Morton moved to Chicago, where he continued to perform and compose music. He formed his own band, the Red Hot Peppers, and began recording for the Victor Talking Machine Company. His recordings with the Red Hot Peppers, including "Black Bottom Stomp" and "Jelly Roll Blues," were among the first jazz recordings to achieve widespread popularity. Morton's music was characterized by its sophisticated arrangements and complex rhythms, which were influenced by his background in classical music as well as his experience playing in New Orleans' vibrant music scene. He was also known for his flamboyant personality and his penchant for self-promotion, often claiming to have invented jazz and referring to himself as the "inventor of jazz and stomp." Despite his sometimes controversial claims, Morton's contributions to the development of jazz were significant. He was one of the first musicians to write down his compositions and arrangements, which helped to establish jazz as a legitimate art form. He also played a key role in the transition from ragtime to jazz, incorporating elements of blues and improvisation into his music. Morton continued to perform and record throughout the 1920s and 1930s, but his career began to decline in the 1940s. He struggled with alcoholism and financial difficulties, and his music fell out of favor with the public. He died on July 10, 1941, at the age of 50. Despite his relatively short career, Morton's influence on jazz was profound. His innovative compositions and arrangements helped to establish jazz as a legitimate art form, and his unique style and personality continue to inspire musicians to this day.

More....