Doctor Jazz

Hi Folks,

I've recently been reviewing songs that are about to become in the Public Domain i.e. 95 years old or older. I came across "Doctor Jazz" - one of my favourite songs written by King Oliver and Walter Melrose and first recorded by Jelly Roll Morton. He (Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe) was a an American ragtime and jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer. He claimed to have invented Jazz in 1902 which has lead to a lot of discussion since his death in 1941 at the tender age of just 51. Regardless he was a genius on the piano and also wrote some wonderful songs.

My version is in a Western Swing feel which may make him roll over in his grave. However it was a genre that was in it's hey day in the 20's and 30's and I suspect Jelly Roll would have loved it.

A quiz question - why did he call himself "Jelly Roll"?

Vocals - Nigel Spiers
All instruments including the soloists are Band In A Box Western Swing Real Tracks by PGMusic.


Nigel Spiers
Christchurch, New Zealand
info@nzacoustics.com