The Paul Asaro Trio play Jelly Roll Morton's "Tiger Rag"

http://www.paulasaro.com
http://www.kcragtime.org

"Tiger Rag," is a fun upbeat tune that Jelly Roll Morton claimed to have written.

The guys played this number, and many more at a Kansas City Ragtime Revelry Concert on April 1st, 2007.

It was great, and I WISH YOU COULD HAVE BEEN THERE!

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A word or two about some of the confusion regarding the true composer of "Tiger Rag."

The tune was first recorded on 17 August, 1917 by the Original Dixieland Jass Band for Aeolian-Vocalion Records. Did not sell very well, but their second recording of the tune on 25 March, 1918 for Victor Records, on the other hand, was a smash national hit.

It was credited to O.D.J.B. members Nick La Rocca, Eddie Edwards, Henry Ragas, Tony Sbarbaro, and Larry Shields, along with Harry Da Costa.

However, other New Orleans, Louisiana musicians claimed that the tune had been a standard in the city even before. Some others even copyrighted the same melody or close variations on it under their own names, including Ray Lopez under the title "Weary Weasel" and Johnny DeDroit under the title "Number Two Blues".

A number of veterans of Papa Jack Laine's band said the tune had been known in New Orleans as "Number Two" long before the O.D.J.B. copyrighted it. In one interview, Papa Jack Laine said that the actual composer of the number was Achille Baquet.

Punch Miller claimed to have originated the cornet & trombone breaks with Jack Carey, and that from Carey's characteristic growl many locals called the tune "Play Jack Carey".

Jelly Roll Morton also claimed to have written the tune, basing part of it on his jazzed up version of an old French quadrille.

While the exact details are unclear, it seems that at least something similar to Tiger Rag or various strains of it was played in New Orleans before the Original Dixieland Jass Band recorded it. How close these were to the O.D.J.B.'s recording is a matter of speculation.

The O.D.J.B.'s record seems to have helped solidify a standard a version or head arrangement of the number. Curiously, however, one strain in the O.D.J.B. recordings (just before the famous "hold that tiger" chorus) is almost invariably left out of later recordings and performances of the number.

_2007

Category:

Music

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• asaro
• craig
• ventresco
• scott
• black
• ragjazzmonkey
• piano
• guitar
• cornet
• tdub1941
• tom
• warner
• jelly
• roll
• trio
• ragtime

[driescraenen]

I'm learning about the history of Jazz in Belgium and I read that this song was played by the Original Dixy Jazz Band [Dominique J. "Nick" La Rocca (cornet/leader)] in 1919 in London to celebrate the victory in World War I. This caused the big breaktrough of Jazz in Europe.

[tdub1941]

Howdy!

Thanks for your interesting comment!

RJMonkey

[idamay1]

This super talented young man blows me away!!

I am anxious to see him play in person again!! A definite treat!!

[tdub1941]

Which one? They are all three fantastic!

TW

[wininboy]

Sorry for commenting twice on this particular video, Tom, but I just felt I had to complement and thank you again for all those wonderful videos you post. I'm a fan!

[tdub1941]

Hi and thanks for your nice comments. I am happy you like some of my collection. I'm now up to 642, and after the upcoming festivals in Missouri (early June), I'll likely be adding another 100 or more.

Best regards,

Tom Warner

[rjl032653]

Asaro needs no one to play his music...but I love him with Leon Redbone because these 2 guys are timeless...

[Mikli7]

So much controversy on this song and who wrote it. I did my research on it and Jack Carey was the first to write it. I also talked to a few relatives of mine and they all still hold a grudge against ODJB and Jelly Roll Morton for "stealing" it. Jack Carey was my great great great uncle. It is of course confirmed that ODJB was the first to record this piece.

[Wor45]

I love this piece! but i am having a hard tim finding the piano solo version or any version for that matter. can anyone help? it will be greatly appreciated

[Morahman7vnNo2]

Would have liked to hear just a little more Trumpet & Guitar.

[Bill25cycle]

VERY TIGHT. The Piano Player sure has the 'Jelly Roll Morton' Sound. He'd probably be one of the few Pianists JRM wouldn't bitch at. My Complements. I always loved the "jelly roll sound => three things going on with only 2 hands".