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Ferdinand Joseph Morton was born in New
Orleans, Louisiana on October 20, 1890. Jelly Roll was
born to light complexioned Creole parents and he considered himself
more white than black. Ferdinand grew up in a musical family; both his
father and stepfather were professional trombone players. Jelly Roll
learned to play the guitar at the age of six, but his real love was
the piano and by the age of 12 he was playing piano in the Storyville
Bordellos, (a New Orleans district).
Jelly Roll traveled throughout the
south playing in vaudeville and minstrel shows and he played in both
New York and Chicago. He supplemented his income in pool halls and as
a poker player. He was also known as a notorious womanizer. He
published his famous Jelly Roll Blues in 1915. He
recorded his first songs in 1923 and 1924 as a soloist but beginning
in 1925 he recorded with his band, The Red Hot Peppers.
Johnny Dodds and Kid Ory were both members of his band.
Some of his more popular tunes are:
King Porter Stomp, Wolverine blues, Mr. Jelly Roll, Shreveport
Stomp, Black Bottom Stomp, Doctor Jazz, Wild Man Blues, and
Sweet Substitute.
Jelly Roll moved to New York in 1928
and began running an All Girl Revue. He also ran a
prostitution ring using these same ladies. He continued to record but
with the advent of the Big Band Era his popularity declined. In 1935
he moved to Washington D.C. and opened a nightclub. While there he
worked with Alan Lomax and recorded his songs for the Library of
Congress.
He moved to California early in 1940,
but ailing and tired he died soon after on July 10, 1941 in Los
Angeles.
Jelly Roll was one of the very first
giants of Jazz, however his own excesses had sabotaged his career. His
bragging and arrogant manner made it hard to get good side men to play
for him and his fast life style was also a detriment. He managed his
career poorly throughout his entire life and made very few close
friends.
It wasn't until after Jelly Roll's
death that he gained the recognition he sought so unsuccessfully
during his lifetime. He is recognized today as a great musical
innovator and many Jazz pianists cite his influence on their style and
approach.
Sources:
Encyclopedia
Britannica
Encyclopedia
Africana
Atlanta
Music Group (AMG)
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