Frank Himpsl wrote:

> Of the rolls Jelly made for Vocalstyle (four of which have never
> to this day been located) most were of his original, instrumental
> rag/jazz compositions, which were published in sheet music form as
> (simplified) piano solos, without lyrics.

I have heard that Jelly recorded some rolls that have never been
located.  Does anyone know for sure what the titles are that have never
been found?  Could one of those "lost" rolls be a recording of "The
Pearls" or "Mr.  Joe"?  If Frank Himpsl knows what the titles are that
have never been found, when that list is published I would ask that
everyone on this list please check your collections for any of these
lost rolls.  It would be great to find even one of these.

> ... know and love in much greater clarity, for example "Shreveport
> Stomp."  These are highly elaborate, improvised performances, and
> do not suffer from a commercial "formula" approach being imposed
> upon them.

"Shreveport Stomp" is one of my all-time favorite rolls, if any of you
out there like great jazz by all means get a copy of this roll -- it
is one fantastic ripping performance.  I believe that Rob DeLand has
copies of this and other Morton rolls available.

I'm glad to see this discussion of Jelly Roll Morton -- he is one
of my absolute favorite composers and pianists.

Michael Swanson

P.S.  If someone happens  to find the roll "The Pearls" by Neil
Moret (a.k.a. Charles Daniels), don't get excited: it is not one
of the lost Morton rolls.  It is a completely different song by
a different composer.  Just a heads up.