Original Jelly Roll Blues

Listening to an interpretation of Jelly Roll Morton's composition by a white band from 1923 immediately brought me back to the definitive 1926 recording by Morton and his band. While the Original Memphis Five recording is not bad, it certainly sounds more like the late 1910s/early 1920s white bands rather than the hard-swinging Morton recording from a few years later. Morton's band sounds not only jazzier but employs his characteristic breaks and the irrepressible joy of the New Orleans sound.  

Doctor Jazz

A classic piece of Morton's from 1926. Somehow, I have forgotten about this rousing number which shows Morton's excellent use of breaks Nothing like that old-time jazz to soothe the soul.

Grandpa's Spells

Classic Jelly Roll Morton recording from the 1920s. Gunther Schuller's Early Jazz has increased my respect for the contributions of Jelly Roll Morton to the evolution of jazz. Looking past his boastful claim to have invented jazz, one can see how his best work with his Red Hot Peppers represented the height of the New Orleans polyphonic ensemble style in terms of composition. Through the musical stew of New Orleans, Morton drew from all genres to offer the world something new. Of course, one could also discuss the influence of "Latin" music on Morton, who was a descendant of Saint Dominguans, knew of Cuban music, and had a father who ended up in Haiti during the US Occupation.