Find-A-Grave: Jelly Roll Morton

Jelly Roll Morton

Resting Place: Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles, California

Plot: Section N, Lot 347, Grave 4

Birth: October 20, 1890

Death: July 10, 1941 (aged 50)

Jelly Roll Morton, born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, was a pioneering American pianist, composer, and bandleader widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in early jazz. Born in New Orleans, Morton began his musical career as a teenager, playing in the vibrant clubs of Storyville. His unique style fused ragtime, blues, and the syncopated rhythms of New Orleans, earning him a reputation as one of jazz's first true innovators.

Morton is often credited with being the first person to formalize and arrange jazz compositions, calling himself the "inventor of jazz"—a claim that, while debated, underscores his significant contributions. His compositions, such as King Porter Stomp, Black Bottom Stomp, and Dead Man Blues, became jazz standards, characterized by their sophisticated harmonies, playful melodies, and distinctive swing.

In the 1920s, Morton recorded extensively with his Red Hot Peppers, a group that showcased his ability to blend intricate arrangements with the improvisational freedom of jazz. These recordings remain landmark examples of early jazz.

Though his career waned during the 1930s, Morton’s legacy endured. His pioneering work laid the foundation for modern jazz, and his blending of musical traditions helped establish the genre as a unique American art form. Morton’s contributions were later recognized when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an early influence on modern music.