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Jelly Roll Morton's Accomplishments

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The Artists That Defined an Era Picture this: the year is 1926 and you are walking down the street in downtown Chicago. You pass a crowded club, where you hear the upbeat and speedy rhythms of music pouring out. The sound consumes you, fills you with joy, and persuades you to dance. You walk into the club to find numerous people swinging and tossing themselves around each other, enjoying the fast-paced and boisterous music. This is the appearance of jazz music, and in the early 20th century, jazz music swept the nation. With artists like Jelly Roll Morton, Joe King Oliver, Sidney Bichet , Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, jazz filled the souls of Americans, promoting a free and fun lifestyle. Although these artists had different beginnings, …show more content…

Although the major artists of the Jazz Era would ultimately rise in fame and would bring a new culture to America, they all had different origins and different early careers. Jelly Roll Morton grew up in New Orleans, and learned to play the piano by age 10 with no formal musical training. He would start his career by playing ragtime and other popular dances and songs in the brothels of Storyville. Similarly, Joe King Oliver, Sidney Bichet, and Louis Armstrong all grew up in New Orleans. Joe King Oliver would start his career as a trombone player, and he would play in brass bands, dance bands, and other small bands in bars and clubs in New Orleans. Sidney Bichet grew up in a musical family, where all four of his brothers played instruments. He would study under other classical clarinet players, but he mostly taught himself how to play. Bichet later played in bands around New Orleans, and in 1916 he left the city to play in shows and carnivals throughout the South and Midwest. Louis …show more content…

Jelly Roll Morton ended up moderately well-off in Washington D.C., where he owned his own jazz club and bar. In his last years, he rarely played again, resulting in a settled lifestyle for the musician. Joe King Oliver ended his days in poverty as a janitor in Georgia. This is because he seldom recorded or performed after 1930, and his sound deteriorated due to multiple tooth and gum ailments. Sidney Bichet fled to France after declaring bankruptcy, but after a revival of jazz in 1939, his fortunes improved, and he was able to live the rest of his days comfortably. Louis Armstrong definitely lived somewhat wealthy, due to his contributions in radio and film, and by playing in the best theaters, nightclubs, and dance halls. Also, his regular performances helped him stay in the spotlight until his death in 1971. Duke Ellington was also wealthy in his last days, mainly due to his continued experimentation with compositions and to his frequent tours of Europe. Despite these artists’ last days, they were still able to make major contributions to the world of

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