hi all

i guess we don t have pro footage of Morton at all ? so i m looking for interesting DVD about Jelly roll Morton. Who could suggest me some great pianists who played morton's music in dvd ?

thanx

Hi SJFAN
First of all, going back to a previous post, how are you getting along with Scott Joplin?
Now, Jelly Roll Morton. Other than a search on You Tube, I don't know where you may find anything on film, nor am I aware of any pianist who has attempted to pay homage to him. Again, on You Tube you will find various clips of that master of styles Dick Hayman emulating Morton.
Now I have to be honest and admit that I am not a particular lover of Mr Morton's music, or indeed his style. I find it, in the main, loud, flashy for it's own sake and in a lot of instances, unrefined. There are only two pianists (in this type of music) that I have trouble listening to, one being Morton, the other Eubie Blake.
Morton has been credited, along with others, as being responsible for the metamorphosis of Ragtime into 20's and 30's Jazz of which I am definately NOT a fan. Perhaps my bias has it's roots there somewhere?
That's enough being negative!! You obviously have a growing interest in this type of music so can I suggest that you also investigate Fats Waller, Art Tatum, and others of that time. Also, for sheer style of playing have a listen to Charlie Kunz and Ray Turner. If you want to see a modern master in action, just put the name Frederick Hodges on "search" on You Tube.

Check out Max Morath's CD "The World of Scott Joplin Vol. 2". He covers a mix of Stride/Ragtime composers, including Joplin.

One of my favourite tracks on that CD is his beautifully executed cover of Eubie Blake's "Eubie's Classical Rag'. Another one I like is his cover of Paul Pratt's "Hot House Rag".

Unfortunately the sound quality of the recording isn't the best ... Not sure why ...

Rob.

Jelly came as close as anybody to "inventing" jazz--his contributions to piano and orchestral jazz are immense (see mississippirag.com for corroborating evidence. The best current players of Morton's music are are Butch Thompson and Morton Larson. Look up their CDs, please.

DavidStaff, I m sorry you don t really like JRM.
About SJ, i think i m able to play more than 50% of his ragtimes but i m an autodidact pianist.
Too bad the movie about SJ is regarded as a failure but the idea was good. SJ once said "my music will be acknowledged in 50 years" and he was almost right. When I hear morton's music, i feel he did some winks ( from time to time ) to SJ. I think JRM would also deserve a movie about his life. It could really be a good biopic.
Jazz music began with piano and Jelly is the most serious pianist just after SJ, but who knows or who cares of who created jazz ?
About Thomas fats waller i like "Nobody but my baby", and nowadays i like JRMorton "shreveport stomp", eubie blake "charleston rag" ; For every beginners, it s really better to study & hear them chronologically -> Thanks all for your advices, i ll try to get the CDs.