A History of Jazz Podcast 1917: Original Dixieland Jazz Band
Mar 13, 2017
Discover the origins of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and their groundbreaking 1917 recordings. Learn about Nick LaRocca's inspiring early life and Eddie Edwards's shift from violin to trombone. Dive into the stories behind hit tunes like 'Indiana' and 'Ostrich Walk,' while exploring the band's evolution in Chicago. Unravel the controversies surrounding 'Tiger Rag' and the challenges faced during studio recordings. Finally, hear about their New York breakthrough and the legal battles over their iconic tracks.
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Band That Made The First Jazz Record
- The Original Dixieland Jazz Band (ODJB) consisted of five New Orleans musicians who recorded the first jazz records in 1917.
- Their recordings shaped public awareness of jazz despite complex issues about origins and credit.
LaRocca's Stubborn Self-Taught Start
- Nick LaRocca taught himself cornet despite his father's violent destruction of two instruments.
- He persisted through odd jobs and brass band gigs until music became his career.
Reading Versus Ear Playing Divide
- New Orleans musicians fell into reading versus ear-playing categories: papermen, fakers, and educated fakers.
- That distinction shaped band roles; LaRocca couldn't read music while Eddie Edwards could.
