Jelly Roll Morton, born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, was a legendary American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader. Born in New Orleans in 1890, he is considered a pioneer of jazz and one of the most important figures in the genre’s development. He began his music career as a teenager, playing piano in the bordellos of Storyville, the city’s red-light district.
Morton was known for his virtuosic piano playing and innovative compositions, which blended elements of blues, ragtime, and early jazz. He led a series of influential recording sessions in the 1920s and 30s, which helped popularize jazz and established Morton as a major figure in the music industry. Some of his most famous recordings include “Black Bottom Stomp,” “Doctor Jazz,” and “King Porter Stomp.”
In addition to his music, Morton was known for his flamboyant personality and colorful storytelling. He claimed to have invented jazz, and often embellished his own biography to make himself appear more important. Despite this, he was widely respected as a musician and a mentor to younger jazz musicians. Morton died in 1941, but his music and legacy continue to influence jazz to this day. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, and his recordings are still celebrated as some of the greatest examples of early jazz.

Jelly Roll Morton
Do you want to know more about Jelly Roll Morton? Let’s take a look at these 30 interesting facts about him.
- Jelly Roll Morton was born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 20, 1890.
- He was a pioneer of early jazz, and his style combined elements of ragtime, blues, and swing.
- Morton was a talented pianist, bandleader, and composer, and he claimed to have invented jazz.
- Some of his most famous compositions include “Black Bottom Stomp,” “King Porter Stomp,” and “The Pearls.”
- Morton learned to play the piano as a child, and he was performing in local brothels by the age of 14.
- He worked as a piano player in vaudeville shows and toured the United States in minstrel shows.
- Morton was known for his flashy style of dress, which often included a diamond-studded watch chain and a wide-brimmed hat.
- In 1915, Morton moved to Chicago and began working as a pianist in the city’s jazz clubs.
- He played with some of the most famous jazz musicians of the time, including King Oliver and Louis Armstrong.
- Morton’s first recording, “Jelly Roll Blues,” was made in 1924 and is considered a classic of early jazz.
- Morton was one of the first jazz musicians to write down his compositions and arrangements.
- He published a book called “Jelly Roll Morton’s Complete Jazz Band Book” in 1926, which contained transcriptions of his compositions.
- Morton was known for his distinctive style of playing, which featured complex rhythms, fast runs, and bluesy melodies.
- He often used the piano to imitate the sound of a brass band.
- Morton was also a talented singer and would often perform with his band.
- He was one of the first jazz musicians to make recordings with a racially mixed band.
- Morton was a flamboyant character and loved to tell tall tales about his life and career.
- He claimed to have been a gambler, pool shark, and pimp before becoming a musician.
- Morton was also an influential music educator, and he taught a number of famous jazz musicians, including Sidney Bechet.
- Morton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
- His life and career were the subject of a biography by Alan Lomax called “Mister Jelly Roll.”
- Morton was the first jazz musician to write down his arrangements, which he did in a series of music folios.
- Morton made a total of 80 recordings between 1923 and 1930, many of which are now considered jazz classics.
- Morton was known for his flamboyant dress sense, often wearing a bright suit and matching hat on stage.
- Morton was also an accomplished pool player, and he would often challenge fans to games in between sets.
- Morton’s nickname, “Jelly Roll,” was a slang term for the female genitalia, which Morton claimed to have heard as a child in the red-light district of New Orleans.
- Morton was a prolific composer, and many of his songs became standards of the jazz repertoire, including “King Porter Stomp,” “Black Bottom Stomp,” and “The Pearls.”
- Morton was a complex and often controversial figure, and he frequently clashed with other musicians and critics.
- Morton was known for his sharp wit and quick comebacks, and he often engaged in verbal sparring matches with other musicians.
- Morton’s music is noted for its intricate arrangements and sophisticated harmonies, which were groundbreaking for their time.
Jelly Roll Morton was a pioneering musician who left an indelible mark on the development of jazz music. His innovative approach to composition, his virtuosic piano playing, and his brash personality made him a legend in the world of jazz. Morton’s music influenced countless musicians who followed in his wake, and his legacy continues to be felt in jazz music today.
Despite the hardships he faced during his life, including racism and poverty, Morton persevered and remained dedicated to his craft. He was a true original, blending the diverse musical traditions he encountered into something new and exciting. Morton’s contributions to jazz music will never be forgotten, and his place in the pantheon of jazz greats is secure.