Ferdinand ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton at home in Harlem, on the corner of some Street and some Avenue in Harlem. Morton was American ragtime royalty, “considered best regarded pianists in the Storyville District,” he was an early jazz pianist, bandleader and composer who was born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, started his career and Jazz in 1902 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Continue Reading →
Tag Archives: Rhythm Club
Harlem Street Scenes At 130th New York 1930’s (Video)
As usual a busy Harlem day with a woman walking away from camera toward crowd outside of the Rhythm Club. A horse and wagon past in front of the camera from the right side, a fire truck in street as people watch, as traffic past and two police officers watch. Continue Reading →
HW Pick: Harlem’s ‘Mary Lou Williams,’ A Film Presented By African Voices Magazine
Mary Lou Williams was a true Harlemite, who was jamming with McKinney’s Cotton Pickers at Harlem’s Rhythm Club. Louis Armstrong entered the room and paused to listen to her. Mary Lou shyly tells what presently happened: “Louis picked me up and kissed me.” Continue Reading →