Please read all the information on the attachment files to find the answer to the questions. New Orleans to Chicago Worksheet 1. 1. In what ways did early jazz bands differ from their Ragtime, Br

“Jelly Roll” Morton The Main Characters When talking about early jazz, a few names must come up:  Jelly Roll Morton  King Oliver  Louis Armstrong  Bix Beiderbecke Jelly Roll Morton (1880 or 1885 -1941) - Jelly Roll Morton could be called the father of jazz piano. He was the first to synthesize the blues, ragtime and European forms of music into a new and original piano style. He was the first to recognize jazz as a style that could be applied to any tune. He was also the first to actually write out and arrange tunes in a jazz style, making him the first jazz composer. According to his biography, he began playing in the “sporting” (gambling and prostitution) houses of Storyville around 1900. He found he could make anywhere from $20 to $100 a night in tips alone. When his mama found out he was lying about his “night watchman” job she promptly kicked his out of the house. In 1903, in spite of his great earning potential and stimulating work environment, Jelly Ro ll left New Orleans and traveled all over the country for the next 19 years. During this time he continued to play, write and arrange music, but also was a pool hustler, gambler and even a pimp! Although jazz is primarily an improvised form Jelly Roll was much more detailed in what he wanted his music to sound like. In 1922 he finally settled in Chicago. His band “The Red Hot Peppers” made some very influential records between 1926 and 1930. His highly arranged, meticulously rehearsed recordings set the st age for the future swing era of the 1930s and 1940s. Unfortunately, like many jazz artists, he died in relative obscurity and penniless in Los Angeles, 1941. Listen to: Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers “ Dead Man Blues ”, recorded in 1926. King Oliver (1885 -1938) - Joe “King” Oliver was an original king of early jazz in New Orleans. He was a mentor to a young Louis Armstrong. He was one of the first to make the trip up the Mississippi to Chicago. He found success early and was very popular in the windy city. King Ol iver asked Louis Armstrong to join him in 1922. On July 8, 1922, Louis headed to Chicago to play with his idol. The Chicago style was a little tougher and raw compared to the New Orleans style. The previously heard “ Dippermouth Blues ” is a good example.