Morton Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll Morton, born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe around September 20, 1890, was a pioneering American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer of Louisiana Creole descent, active primarily from the early 1900s until his death in 1941. Notable for being one of jazz's first arrangers, Morton's influential compositions include "Jelly Roll Blues" and "King Porter Stomp." He claimed to have invented jazz and significantly contributed to the genre's development through his innovative piano style and orchestration. Despite facing financial struggles later in life, he remains a significant figure in jazz history, known for his unique blend of ragtime and blues influences.

GENRES: Jazz, Piano, Composer