[Dixielandjazz] And Now, Frog-I-More Rag

[Bill Haesler]

 Gluetje1 at aol.com asked:
> Can anyone channel the historical facts on this title?  I have an  opinion that it was originally called Froggy Moore Rag by one or another  spelling. That's because I suspect it was probably named for one of the  many acquaintances of Jelly Roll Morton, many of whom had  various intriguing nick names.

Dear Ginny,
DJML lurker, Mike Meddings, will probably have the answer.
Although, my quick look at his indispensable Jelly Roll Morton website <http://www.doctorjazz.co.uk/page10.html> did not reveal it.
Morton told Bill Russell in 1938 that it had no meaning but it has been proposed that it may have been named for the TOBA vaudeville Frog Man,  Froggie Moore. As mentioned by Ken Waltjen and Bob Smith.
The Morton composition was originally called "Sweetheart O’ Mine" and, with words by Benjamin F. Spikes and John C. Spikes, was copyrighted in May 1918.
It was expanded and retitled "Frog-i-More Rag" when recorded by King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band and copyrighted under that name in April 1923.
Kind regards,
Bill..