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Jelly Roll Blues

Lem Fowler's Washboard Wonders

Al Brunson, Percy Glascoe, Sidney de Paris

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Recorded in New York City on April 6th 1926 featuring Sidney De Paris trumpet, Percy Glascoe clarinet &
c-melody sax, Lemuel Fowler piano & director, and Al Brunson washboard & drums.

*"Jelly Roll Blues" was composed by Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton.

First called the "Chicago Blues" according to its author Jelly Roll Morton it was actually his fans from The Windy City who were responsible for renaming this tune the "Original Jelly Roll Blues" giving praise for its unique sound which as their new title implied was full of "originality".

Leading a quartet dubbed his "Washboard Wonders", Lemuel Fowler having no intention of attempting to copy the piano style of the tune's composer contents himself instead with making it a grand exponent of his own. And what a fine job he does also producing what seems to be a mighty big sound for only four pieces.

However the band does run through the tune a little fast as though they were having trouble capturing a usable copy. Further exploration of surviving company files reveals this to indeed have been the case, as take 5 was the one released. Oddly Columbia seems to have forgotten to give Morton the composer's credit on the record label.

To hear a recording of this number by "Jell Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers" Click Here