Jelly Roll Morton - A Career Anthology Vol. 1 1923-28 (2024)

Pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger and occasional singer Ferdinand Joseph ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton was one of the most important and influential personalities in the entire history of jazz. Born in New Orleans of Creole descent in 1890, he was one of the earliest jazz innovators and pioneers, to the extent that he actually said that he invented the genre, although his accomplishments and influence were such that he did not need to make such exaggerated claims. Starting as a ragtime pianist, his 1915 tune “Jelly Roll Blues” was one of the first published jazz compositions. His career output of recordings was so prolific that we have chosen to release them as two 3-CD sets. This 70-track Vol. 1 collection comprises releases during these years on the Paramount, Gennett, Okeh, Autograph, Vocalion, and Victor labels, including solo performances, and recordings with various line-ups as his Orchestra and Jazz Band, The New Orleans Rhythm Kings, His Stomps Kings, Steamboat Four, Kings Of Jazz, Incomparables, The St. Louis Levee Band and His Red Hot Peppers. Members of his ensembles during this era include Tommy Ladnier, Leon Roppolo, Ben Pollack, Natty Dominque, Kid Ory, George Mitchell, Johnny St. Cyr, Barney Bigard, Johnny Dodds, Baby Dodds and Russell Procope. Released at the same time is “A Career Anthology Vol. 2 1929-40” (ACTRCD9155). They both offer a comprehensive overview of his work during these eras, and are a fine showcase for his unique talents.

Tracklist:
1-1. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Big Foot Ham (03:06)
1-2. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Muddy Water Blues (03:01)
1-3. New Orleans Rhythm Kings - Milenberg Joys (02:52)
1-4. Jelly Roll Morton - Kansas City Stomps (02:57)
1-5. Jelly Roll Morton - Grandpa Spells (03:17)
1-6. New Orlean Rhythm Kings - Sobbin' Blues (02:47)
1-7. New Orlean Rhythm Kings - Clarinet Marmalade (02:37)
1-8. New Orlean Rhythm Kings - Mr. Jelly Lord (03:08)
1-9. New Orlean Rhythm Kings - London Blues (02:46)
1-10. New Orlean Rhythm Kings - Mad (02:36)
1-11. Jelly Roll Morton - King Porter Stomp (02:36)
1-12. Jelly Roll Morton - Wolverine Blues (03:21)
1-13. Jelly Roll Morton - The Pearls (03:04)
1-14. Jelly Roll Morton's Jazz Band - Someday Sweetheart (03:05)
1-15. Jelly Roll Morton's Jazz Band - London Blues (Version 2) (03:12)
1-16. Jelly Roll Morton's Stomps Kings - Steady Roll (02:33)
1-17. Jelly Roll Morton's Steamboat Four - Mr. Jelly Lord (Version 2) (02:51)
1-18. Jelly Roll Morton - Thirty Fifth Street Blues (02:30)
1-19. Jelly Roll Morton - Mamamita (04:13)
1-20. Ferdinand Morton - Perfect Rag (02:41)
1-21. Jelly Roll Morton - New Orleans Joys (02:42)
1-22. Ferd (Jelly Roll) Morton - Bucktown Blues (02:56)
1-23. Ferd (Jelly Roll) Morton - Tom Cat Blues (03:01)
1-24. Ferd (Jelly Roll) Morton - Jelly Roll Blues (03:06)
1-25. Ferd (Jelly Roll) Morton - Big Foot Ham (Version 2) (02:53)
2-1. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Stratford Hunch (02:54)
2-2. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Shreveport Stomp (02:53)
2-3. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Mamamita (Version 2) (02:54)
2-4. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Tia Juana (02:49)
2-5. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Fish Tail Blues (03:00)
2-6. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - High Society (03:22)
2-7. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Weary Blues (02:38)
2-8. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Tiger Rag (03:24)
2-9. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - My Gal (02:39)
2-10. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Wolverine Blues (Version 2) (03:24)
2-11. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Mr. Jelly Lord (Version 3) (02:47)
2-12. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Sweetheart O' Mine (02:53)
2-13. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Fat Meat And Greens (02:55)
2-14. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - The Pearls (Version 2) (02:53)
2-15. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - King Porter Stomp (Version 2) (02:40)
2-16. St. Louis Levee Band - Soap Suds (02:52)
2-17. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Black Bottom Stomp (03:18)
2-18. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - The Chant (03:11)
2-19. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Dead Man Blues (03:19)
2-20. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Sidewalk Blues (03:35)
2-21. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Smoke-House Blues (03:27)
2-22. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Steamboat Stomp (03:12)
2-23. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Original Jelly Roll Blues (03:02)
3-1. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Someday Sweetheart Blues (03:31)
3-2. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Doctor Jazz (03:23)
3-3. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Grandpa's Spells (02:57)
3-4. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Cannon Ball Blues (03:37)
3-5. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Billy Goat Stomp (03:36)
3-6. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Hyena Stomp (03:14)
3-7. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Beale Street Blues (03:16)
3-8. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - The Pearls (Version 3) (03:28)
3-9. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Wolverine Blues (Version 3) (03:23)
3-10. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Mr Jelly Lord (02:55)
3-11. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Wild Man Blues (02:54)
3-12. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Jungle Blues (03:27)
3-13. Jelly Roll Morton's Levee Serenaders - Midnight Mama (02:47)
3-14. Jelly Roll Morton's Levee Serenaders - Mr. Jelly Lord (Version 4) (02:57)
3-15. Jelly Roll Morton - Shreveport Stomp (Version 2) (03:14)
3-16. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Shoe Shiner's Drag (03:20)
3-17. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Kansas City Stomps (Version 2) (02:53)
3-18. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Boogaboo (03:24)
3-19. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Georgia Swing (02:31)
3-20. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Mournful Serenade (03:34)
3-21. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Deep Creek (03:33)
3-22. Jelly Roll Morton & His Orchestra - Red Hot Pepper Stomp (03:09)