The Best Jazz Music from the 1920s

The best Jazz Music from the 1920s. Featuring Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, and more.

The Best Jazz Musicians from the 1920s

The 1920s was a decade full of great music, and jazz was no exception. Some of the best jazz musicians of all time got their start in the 1920s. If you’re a fan of jazz, or just want to learn more about the genre, check out this list of the best jazz musicians from the 1920s.

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong was one of the most popular and influential musicians of the twentieth century. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 4, 1901, into a poor family. His father was a trombonist and his mother was a domestic worker. When he was five years old, he began playing the cornet and soon developed his own style of playing.

Armstrong became famous in the 1920s for his work with the Hot Fives and Sevens, small groups that recorded some of the most influential jazz recordings of all time. He was also a member of the all-star band that recorded with Jelly Roll Morton. In addition to his work with these groups, Armstrong made many solo recordings that were extremely popular. He also appeared in several films, including ‘The Glenn Miller Story’ and ‘High Society.’

Armstrong’s influence on jazz cannot be overstated. He invented or popularized many of the techniques that are now considered essential to the style of jazz trumpet playing, including vibrato, harmon mutes, and half-valve effects. His improvisational ability was virtually without equal, and his ability to connect with an audience was unrivaled. Armstrong died on July 6, 1971, but his legacy continues to live on through his music.

Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington is one of the most important figures in jazz history. He wrote hundreds of songs, many of which are still being played today. He led one of the most popular and influential jazz bands of all time. And he was a major force in the development of the big band sound.

Ellington was born in Washington, D.C., in 1899. His father was a piano teacher and his mother was a singer. Ellington began playing piano when he was seven years old and by the time he was in his early teens, he was already playing in local clubs and theaters.

In 1918, Ellington moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He quickly made a name for himself on the city’s vibrant nightlife scene. In 1923, he wrote his first hit song, “Dallas Blues.” Over the next few years, Ellington continued to churn out hits, including “Mood Indigo” (1930), “Sophisticated Lady” (1933), and “Solitude” (1934).

In 1935, Ellington formed his legendary big band, which featured some of the best jazz musicians of the era, including trumpeter Bunny Berigan, tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, and drummer Jo Jones. With his big band, Ellington took jazz to new heights, creating complex and nuanced pieces that were both technically proficient and aesthetically pleasing. Among his many achievements with the big band were the composition of his masterpiece work “Black, Brown & Beige” (1943) and a historic performance at Carnegie Hall in 1943.

Ellington continued to lead his big band and compose new works until his death in 1974. He remains one of the most revered figures in jazz history and an enduring influence on American music.

Jelly Roll Morton

Jelly Roll Morton was an American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer credited with helping to create the bouncy style known as New Orleans jazz. Morton was born in Louisiana in 1890 and learned to play piano from an early age. He began his career playing in brothels and nightclubs in New Orleans before moving to Chicago in the 1920s, where he found success leading his own band. His most famous compositions include “King Porter Stomp” and “Black Bottom Stomp.” Jelly Roll Morton was one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 1920s and helped to popularize the genre around the world.

The Best Jazz Songs from the 1920s

Jazz music originated in the early 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. The style of music was influenced by both European and African musical traditions. Jazz music became popular in the 1920s, and many classic jazz songs were recorded during this time. In this article, we’ll countdown the best jazz songs from the 1920s.

“West End Blues” by Louis Armstrong

“West End Blues” is a 1928 composition by Joe “King” Oliver, first recorded and released as a 78 single by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five. The record is notable for being the first time Armstrong used his famous vocalization technique, scat singing. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

The song is a twelve-bar blues in the key of C, with a vocal range of B♭ to C. The original recording was made on June 6, 1928, at Gennett Studios in Richmond, Indiana. It was released as a 78 single on the Okeh label, with “Tight Like This” on the flip side.

“Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington

“Mood Indigo” is a jazz song composed by Duke Ellington in 1930. It was first performed by his orchestra at the Cotton Club in New York City on October 5, 1930. The lyrics were written by Irving Mills and the music was inspired by a poem written by Wallace Thurman. The song became one of Ellington’s most popular compositions and was recorded by many artists, including Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Nat King Cole. It has been described as “one of the most perfect jazz compositions ever written.”

“King Porter Stomp” by Jelly Roll Morton

One of the first popular jazz songs, “King Porter Stomp” was written by Jelly Roll Morton and first recorded by his band in 1926. The song became a hit, and was later recorded by Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and many other jazz musicians.

The Best Jazz Albums from the 1920s

The 1920s was the era of jazz and many great albums were released during this time. Some of the best jazz albums from the 1920s include “The Charleston” by Paul Whiteman, “Sugar” by Louis Armstrong, and “Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington. Let’s take a closer look at these three albums.

The Hot Fives and Sevens by Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong’s The Hot Fives and Sevens is a legendary jazz album, recorded in the years 1927 and 1930. Featuring some of the most influential musicians of the time, such as Johnny Dodds and Kid Ory, the album is a must-listen for any fan of 1920s jazz. The Hot Fives and Sevens showcases Armstrong’s astonishing talent as a trumpeter and vocalist, with classics such as “West End Blues” and “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue”.

Black and Tan Fantasy by Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington’s “Black and Tan Fantasy” is one of the most popular and well-known jazz songs of the 1920s. The song was written in response to the Harlem Renaissance, and it quickly became a staple of the Ellington band’s repertoire. “Black and Tan Fantasy” is a swinging, up-tempo tune that features Ellington’s characteristic piano playing and riffing. The tune has been covered by many other artists over the years, but Ellington’s version remains the most popular.

The Immortal Jelly Roll by Jelly Roll Morton

Jelly Roll Morton was one of the first great composers and performers in jazz history. This album, released in 1926, is a collection of some of his most famous pieces. It includes “Jelly Roll Blues,” “Wolverine Blues,” and “Black Bottom Stomp.”