Find-A-Grave: Edward "Kid" Ory

Edward "Kid" Ory

Resting Place: Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California

Plot: Grotto Section, Lot 59, Grave 4

Birth: December 25, 1886

Death: January 23, 1973 (aged 86)

Edward "Kid" Ory (1886–1973) was a pioneering American jazz trombonist and bandleader, recognized as one of the key figures in the development of early jazz. Born in LaPlace, Louisiana, Ory grew up immersed in the rich musical traditions of the region, blending influences from blues, ragtime, and Creole culture.

Ory was instrumental in shaping the "tailgate" style of trombone playing, characterized by its rhythmic, sliding technique that provided a rich, brassy texture to early jazz ensembles. In the 1910s, he formed one of the most celebrated bands in New Orleans, which included future legends like King Oliver and Louis Armstrong.

In the 1920s, Ory moved to Chicago and then Los Angeles, where he recorded some of the first significant jazz records with his Creole Jazz Band. These sessions, known as the "Hot Five" and "Hot Seven" recordings, were pivotal in popularizing jazz across the United States.

After a hiatus from music during the Great Depression, Ory returned to perform and record in the 1940s, enjoying a resurgence in popularity as traditional jazz experienced a revival. His contributions to jazz left an enduring legacy, earning him a place among the genre's foundational artists.