I'm glad Robbie Rhodes has suggested that we approach the Tribune web
site article with caution.  It is a remarkable document, in that it
helps to bring Jelly Roll Morton to the attention of a much wider
audience.  However, it is flawed in many ways, not least by sloppy
research.  There are a number of major errors in the article.

In discussions with the most senior Morton researchers -- notably Larry
Gushee, Roger Richard and Jim Dapogny -- I am now able to offer the
following:

The Tribune reporters have told us that Morton's death certificate
listed "cardiac decomposition" due to "unknown."  This is ridiculous;
whoever heard of a decomposed heart?!  The correct medical terminology
should be, as correctly inserted on his death certificate, "cardiac
decompensation".  Please see the certified copy at
http://www.doctorjazz.freeserve.co.uk/deathcert.gif

The reporters can be forgiven for this error; they are not the first
ones to be caught out with this.

Roy Carew, Morton's partner in the Tempo-Music Publishing Co., has not
faired at all well in the article.  We all went ballistic after reading
the defamatory ramblings, which have not been backed up with proper
research.  Jim Dapogny, in correspondence with me, went one further by
writing, "... if Jazz deserved a sainthood, then Carew would be first
in line..."

Carew was far removed from the typical commercial music publisher;
he did everything he could to help Morton and he very often gave
small sums of his own money to Morton to allow him to pay his bills.

A couple of final items.  Morton never recorded "Milenberg Joys" for
Victor.  The photograph of "Jelly Roll Morton and his Orchestra" at the
Camden Studios in July 1929 is incomplete.  My copy has Rod Rodriguez
sitting at the piano next to Morton.  As Robbie says, enjoy it, but
with due caution.

Musically yours

Mike Meddings
http://www.doctorjazz.freeserve.co.uk/