Sandwiched chronologically between the phantasm that was Buddy Bolden and the one-man rxplosion that would be Louis Armstrong, Morton has a secure place in history as the first significant pianist and composer in jazz. He was born in New orleans to a Creole family, played the piano superbly at an early age and dmonstrated his skills as a sty;istically adventurous teenager in the brothels of Storyville, where it's said he earned as much a $100 a night. (Rick Koster, Louisiana Music p. 12)
And that probably explains why he changed his name from Ferdinand Le Menthe to Jelly Roll Morton.
Iconic. File under: Originals and originators
In the music library: Doctor Jazz
A Celebration Of New Orleans Music To Benefit MusiCares Hurrincane Relief 2005: I'm Alabama Bound
Jazz Piano - The Stuff Is Here: That's Like It Ought To Be
Doctors, Professors, Kings & Queens: The Big Ol' Box Of New Orleans: I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say
Links: AllMusic Biography.com The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
All About Jazz The Red Hot Jazz Archive Monrovia Sound Studio's Jelly Roll Morton Page PBS Jazz Jazz.com