JELLY ROLL MORTON was born on this day in 1890, in New Orleans, Louisiana, that is according to his baptismal certificate. Morton claimed that he was actually born on September 20, 1885. Other documents list various days and dates, so it's not really clear.
What is clear, however, is that he was a jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer. He is most notable as jazz's first arranger.
Morton began his musical studies on the guitar at the age of 7, and 3 years later he took up the piano. While still in his teens, he was reputedly a working "professor" in the bordellos of New Orleans' Storyville district; there was always a demand for "professors" at the piano in their many sporting-houses. Morton was one of the best.
He started with the Ragtime style, and developed it by bringing to it all that his huge musical memory stored. He played rhythms so subtle that critics who didn't understand his style, said he had no sense of timing.
Morton believed that the piano when played solo, should be able to emulate a whole band , and his solo compositions with his Morton's Red Hot Peppers band shows his belief being put incredibly, into practice.
Morton produced a markedly individual piano sound, and composed jazz of a type that has never been bettered. He understood the music, he understood the instruments, and he wrote for the musicians he chose to play with him.
A series of recordings done with his band between 1926-30 firmly established him as a exemplary jazz composer, arranger, and leader.
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To read a full bio Goggle his name
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