Morton, Jelly Roll

***New Orleans Joys : The Earliest Recordings, 1923-1926 chronicles the definitive early work of pianist, composer and raconteur Jelly Roll Morton, who created masterpieces born from the cultural melting pot of 1900s New Orleans; the primitive blues of prostitutes, hymns to God from its churches, joyous anthems of the city’s brass bands, the lessons from ragtime “professors” and the elegance of the opera. He was the first composer of the music that would be called jazz, and elements of his music are still influential today.

All 53 tracks were meticulously transferred and restored from the super rare original 78rpm records, resulting in the best sound available to date for these recordings – by far - with more depth, clarity and presence than ever before achieved. Morton's life and music are illuminated through exhaustively researched essays by Grammy-winner Ricky Riccardi, Andrew Oliver, and co-producers Joe Lauro and Russell Shor. A trove of rare photos and ephemera is assembled in a lavish 80 page booklet.

Mastered by Grammy nominated engineer, Jessica Thompson. Designed by Grammy nominated art director, Barbara Bersche. Transfers and restoration by Mike Kieffer, Dustin Wittmann, Mark Beresford, Richard Nevins.