Born Ferdinand Joseph, Jelly Roll Morton is best known for his songs "Jelly Roll Blues" (1905), "King Porter Stomp" (1906), and "Kansas City Stomp" (1919). A composer and pianist, he first found success touring...

Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton (September 20, 1885 or October 20, 1890 – July 10, 1941) was an American jazz pianist, bandleader and composer whom some call the first true composer of jazz music. Morton was a colorful character who liked to...

Mr. Toledano, a longtime NR contributor, is a syndicated columnist and author of 19 books. He is currently at work on his autobiography. , THREE MEN led jazz into its great classic era, tearing it away from the oompah of ragtime and...

HumanitiesFest highlights Jelly Roll Morton's art During my life and career, one has had the pleasure of hearing the art of many great jazz pianists, including Earl "Fatha" Hines, Eubie Blake, Little Brother Montgomery, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Baby Dodds and it...

EASTBOZRAH, Conn. (AP) _ For many students here, it will be less play and more work. The principal at Fields Memorial School decided to cancel recess in grades five through eight. A letter to parents said students need more time indoors to meet minimum state...

Ken Nelson, a longtime talent scout at Capitol Records who produced dozens of No. 1 country music hits and helped push Buck Owens and Merle Haggard to country stardom in the 1960s, has died. He was 96.Nelson died Sunday of natural causes at his home...