Ferdinand Morton

This is Ferdinand Morton. (http://www.redhotjazz.com/Jellyroll.html)

My hero is Ferdinand Morton. He was a famous musician in the early 1900's. He was known for using a different style in his music. This style is known as the "blues." Many people sill think to this day that he is the creator of the "blues."

Jelly Roll Morton grew up with a life style that was most unusual. In his teenager years, he played piano at brothels in New Orleans, Louisiana. While doing this he started learning his talent at the piano. He composed music and found that he could play piano for a living. After working the brothels he started his way towards Chicago to make it to the top. He made it there in 1910 and started writing music with friends. He than got bigger and bigger like a rolling snowball eventually starting a band called "The Red Hot Peppers" in 1928.

Some of his most famous works include-
"The Crave"
"Jelly Roll Blues"
"New Orleans Blues"
"Frog-I-More Rag"

Jelly Roll's impact on music today is tremendous. He helped shape blues and was a good symbol for people in the early 1900's. He lived from 1885 to 1941. He died from stab wounds that were inflicted on him at a bar fight. He didn't fully recover from the wounds after a couple weeks giving him breathing problems and leading to his death. He was a tragic yet appealing member in society and people still love him today.