"Man, I invented Jazz."

Yes, everything you’ve heard about Jelly Roll Morton is true. His nickname does have sexual origins, he did get his start playing in brothels, and yes, at one time he was a pimp. That said, he is also considered to be the very first jazz composer.

It was in 1907 that Morton decided to leave his home in New Orleans. He traveled across the United States, taking on the roles of gambler, pool shark, pimp, vaudeville comedian, and pianist.

Morton eventually settled in Chicago in 1923, where he made his first record. From 1926-1927, he recorded with his band, the Red Hot Peppers. They played New Orleans style jazz with piano, trumpets, clarinets, and trombones. He was the first to arrange music to fit the playing time of a 78, and also the first jazz musician to use musical notation for his compositions. Fame came in the late 1920s, when Morton gained a reputation for his flashy suits, diamond studded tooth, and big ego. His business card read: "Originator of JAZZ - STOMP - SWING".

When the Depression hit in 1929, Morton was let go by his record label. Big bands were the new thing, and Morton was considered washed up. He did not have many friends in the music business, and could not (or perhaps would not) find work even as a side man. Oddly enough, the big bands were getting some of their success from Morton tunes like "Wolverine Blues" and "King Porter Stomp". Unfortunately this did not benefit Morton financially, as he was denied membership in the ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) because of his skin colour. They collected the royalties from his music, but never gave him the money. "I’ve been robbed of three million dollars all told. Everyone today is playing my stuff and I don’t even get credit".

The Library of Congress recorded special sessions with Morton in 1938. People were starting to take interest in his music again, but he was forced to give up his career in 1940 when he became ill. He claimed his health was failing because his enemies put a voodoo spell on him. Morton eventually succumbed to asthma (or voodoo) in 1941.

Update: It seems you dirty people want to know more details about the Jelly Roll nickname. First, you may notice up at the top in the quick facts that another one of his nicknames was 'Winding Boy'. This is a supposed reference to his, oh, let's call it penile agility. He then decided he would like to be called 'Mr. Jelly Lord' as the self-declared master of female lubrication. This eventually became 'Jelly Roll', an old slang term for a woman or her genitalia. Hey, you asked!