[Dixielandjazz] Tom Cat (Blues?)

[Bill Haesler]

Ric Giorgi wrote:
> I'm having a "discussion" as to the name of Tom Cat Blues is actually just Tom Cat. The James Dapogny collection of Morton's piano music has it as "Tom Cat Blues" but my friend says Morton always referred to it as "Tom Cat" and that is it's proper name. 

Dear Ric,
Listmate Dick Baker (currently updating his Stomp Off Records Tune Titles and Composers Index, but taking some time off) is the man to to give you chapter and verse on this query.
However, the short answer is that Jelly Roll Morton recorded "Tom Cat Blues" as a piano solo for Gennett on 9 June 1924. 
King Oliver, cornet, accompanied by Jelly Roll Morton, piano recorded it  as "Tom Cat" for Autograph in December 1924.
Morton copyrighted it as "Tom Cat Blues" on 1 April 1925.
The tune is also the same as "Midnight Mamma", copyrighted under that name by JR Morton on 2 November 1925.
Take your pick.
8>)
Very kind regards,
Bill.