[Dixielandjazz] The Saga of Jelly Roll Morton

[Mike Meddings]

Hello Dave,

I've listened to the Alyn Shipton broadcast a couple of times and must admit 
that I felt a little uneasy with the theme.  On LoC 1645B Jelly is almost 
dismissive of Gottschalk and quickly turns Lomax's attention to "The 
Miserere".   Contrasted with your programme, which, was very enjoyable 
and contains some outstanding tracks by Jelly and other notable USA musicians, I 
found Alyn Shipton's musical content lacked any punch.

A few coments about your programmme might be in order to set the record straight 
on dates, etc.

Tony Jackson was born 25th October 1882 not 1876.
Jelly Roll's LoC recordings were done in 1938 not 1939.
Paul Lingle and Bob Short -- Jelly Roll was not in San Francisco in 1915.
Mister Joe WAS recorded by Morton as a piano solo for General 14th December 
1939.
Morton's Vocalstyle piano roll of "Grandpa's Spells" played much too slow by 
Biograph Records.
"Monrovia" was the original title for "New Orleans Bump". If you have the master 
pressing of HMV Swiss JK2737 the title can be see inscribed under the label.
Joseph Benson Foraker Moore, a pianist who worked in Detroit and Cincinnati (as 
did Jelly Roll)  may well have met up with Morton, who probably named the tune 
"Frog-I-More" after him. Benson Moore was known as "Froggy" Moore. You can read 
all about him (scroll down to Benson Foraker Moore) at: 
http://www.doctorjazz.co.uk/draftcards2.html#musdc

Musically yours.
Mike.

> 
> Hi there --
> 
> You are cordially invited to listen to the newly posted radio program, "The 
> Saga of Jelly Roll Morton":
> http://jazzhotbigstep.com/63501.html
> 
> Approximately 3.5+ hours this is a program that I originally produced live 
> on air in 1996 exploring Morton's life, music and career -- now recycled as 
> Vintage Jazz Rhythm. In it I include Morton heard playing piano, piano 
> rolls, leading some of his best bands and spoken clips from LOC;  several 
>recent 
>
> and not so recent interpreters of Morton's piano style (Paul Lingle, Don 
> Ewell, Burt Bales, Dick Hyman, Butch Thompson, etc);  recent Trad bands 
> interpreting Jelly's repertory, including several exclusive live recordings of 

> bands such as RSJO and South Frisco.  I also summarize Jelly's story in some 
> detail, comment, and read short excerpts from Lomax's "Mr. Jelly..."
> 
> Comments, criticisms and hosannahs are welcome.
> 
> Also newly posted the complete "Wally Rose and the Rebirth of Ragtime":
> http://jazzhotbigstep.com/278.html
> 
> Dave Radlauer
> www.JAZZHOTBigstep.com
> _______________________________________________