Still thinking about the early jazz in New Orleans. In the book I'm reading, New Orleans Jazz: A Revised History by R. Collins (Published 1996), I read about a cornet player and band-leader named Buddy Bolden. Something interesting about bands at that time that I didn't know: there were two kinds of dance bands in New Orleans at the turn of the century (I use that time frame broadly-between 1875-1910), Music bands, who used written charts or arrangements and whose members were skilled and highly trained musicians, and Faker bands, whose members may or may not have been trained musicians and primarily played by ear. Bolden's band was a Music band.
His band was made up of the typical line-up for dance bands at the time: violin on lead, clarinet and cornet to embellish the lead line, trombone to anchor the chords and string bass and guitar as rhythm. Bolden's band was a big success, but unfortunately, Bolden succumbed to mental illness and was eventually committed to an asylum, where he spent the rest of his life. But while they were hot, the band was known and admired for its musicianship and technical abilities. It was said they were the loudest band in New Orleans.
Bolden does maintain a legacy. He is one of the first names mentioned when discussing New Orleans jazz history. But, Bolden didn't invent jazz and the music his band played was more of the dance variety than pure jazz. In the never-ending search over who and where jazz really originated, though, he is as good a start as any.
Update, August 24, 2012: I attended a blues concert, headlined by Hugh Laurie. He talked a bit about Buddy Bolden. He mentioned that to this day, Bolden is considered one the greatest jazz musicians to have ever lived. Remarkable claim, considering there are no recordings of Bolden.
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