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Synopsis
Jelly Roll Morton was an American pianist and song writer, born somewhere between 1885 and 1890 in New Orleans.[2] Although there can be a debate about whether or not Jelly Roll invented jazz music, there is no denying the impact he had on bringing jazz to life.[1] In 1917, he rose to stardom and toured the west coast of of the United States; shortly afterwards in 1922, he moved to Chicago to form the band, the Red Hot Peppers.[3] His fame did not last long however, as his career vanished as the country entered the era of the Great Depression in the 1930’s. [1][3]
In 1935, Jelly Roll decided to give up on his musical career and so he moved to Washington, D.C. in 1935 to manage a bar.[4]In 1938 he was stabbed in the chest while working at the bar.[4] Him and his wife Mabel decided it was best that they left the area for their safety. They moved to Los Angeles but Morton eventually passed away in 1941 due to asthma that was worsened due to the stabbing he endured.[2][4] Jelly Roll will always be remembered for his efforts in the transition between ragtime and jazz music.
The Dirty 30’s
The 1930’s, more commonly know as the Great Depression or the Dirty 30’s was not a pleasant time to be living in the United States. Food was scarce and jobs were spread thin; it was not a coincidence that Jelly Roll’s musical career took a dive when it did. Coming from a Creole background, he unfortunately faced discrimination throughout his life, as did others with African roots.[2][4] When he was stabbed in 1938, he was declined help from a nearby “whites-only” hospital; he was finally transferred to a hospital that would treat him, but one must wonder how much life Morton lost due to being refused treatment initially.[4]
Morton lived in New York between 1928 and 1935 where he really struggled to make a living.[3] He did what any other composer did at that time, and simply kept performing. Morton’s persistence and love for music drove him through those tough times, before he inevitably decided to quit his musical career. Some sources say that the rise of performers like Louis Armstrong took the spotlight from Morton.[1] It is worth re-iterating that this was a time where people were generally more concerned with their survival than listening to music. His decision to move to Washington and manage a bar saved him economically but unfortunately racial discrimination didn’t allow him to stay there long. Even though his last very years weren’t easy, Morton endured over a decade of fame; he recorded many pieces throughout his life that will carry his legacy into the future.
Significant Contributions
The following three songs by Jelly Roll are his most influential pieces in my opinion. Their unique style and rhythm helped birth a new genre, jazz.
#1. King Porter Stomp
King Porter Stomp is one of Jelly Roll’s first popular hits. It is a good landmark for where we start seeing the transition between ragtime piano and jazz music. The song utilizes a irregular bass rhythm which has become so common in what we now know as jazz music. His confidence rings throughout the song and creates increasing buildup throughout the piece. This buildup seems to raise in pitch as the song progresses and finally at the end releases it all with a long steady tone. King Port Stomp is an influential piece in the jazz world because of how much it utilizes a swing-like rhythm.
#2. Doctor Jazz
Doctor Jazz is an upbeat and swift song recorded by his band the Red Hot Peppers. The shift from ragtime piano to jazz meant incorporating a full band in the mix. Throughout the song there are very brief improvisations from various instruments. Jelly Roll was not only important in the uprising of jazz, but was a role model in the African-American community. Doctor Jazz brings in a happy mood that could make everyone in the room forget about the racial discrimination and hate that occurred during that era.
#3. Blackbottom Stomp
Blackbottom Stomp another popular song composed by Jelly Roll’s Red Hot Peppers. In this piece you can clearly hear the slightly staggered timing between the instruments which helps create a swing rhythm. In this song like Doctor Jazz, we hear several improvisations/solos that have become a key part of jazz music today. Jelly Roll’s compositions were, for the most part, very lively and upbeat which was impactful for the African-American community at the time.
Closing Thoughts
The debate of who “invented” jazz music is not of great importance in my humble opinion. The impact on the jazz world from composers like Jelly Roll Morton should be all that is considered in remembering their legacy. In a time where racial tension was high, he persevered through it all and delivered many great hits for America and the rest of the world to enjoy. Morton’s compositions are and always will be living proof that he influenced the great transition between ragtime and jazz music.
References
- Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Jelly Roll Morton.” Encyclopædia Britannica. July 06, 2018. Accessed July 15, 2018. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jelly-Roll-Morton.
- “Jelly Roll Morton.” Biography.com. April 02, 2014. Accessed July 15, 2018. https://www.biography.com/people/jelly-roll-morton-9415945.
- “Jelly Roll Morton.” Original Dixieland Jass Band. Accessed July 15, 2018. http://www.redhotjazz.com/jellyroll.html.
- “Jelly Roll Morton – Composer Biography, Facts and Music Compositions.” FAMOUS COMPOSERS. Accessed July 15, 2018. http://www.famouscomposers.net/jelly-roll-morton.