Dissertation
PREFACE
In 1922 Edward “Kid” Ory made jazz history when his ensemble, consisting
entirely of personnel of African-American descent, recorded two instrumental sides,
Ory’s Creole Trombone and Society Blues, for the Spike Brothers of Los Angeles,
California. Jazz recordings before this date exist, such as the Original Dixieland Jazz
Bands 1917 records, but these ensembles did not include only African-Americans.
The purpose of this study was to present performance editions of Ory’s Creole
Trombone and Society Blues. These editions are presented in two forms: (1) an exact
note-for-note transcription of the clarinet, trumpet, and trombone lines of the original
recordings, and (2) a lead sheet version. The note-for-note transcription is intended to
allow further study of the Dixieland style of jazz prior to the appearance of the jazz
soloist, as typified by the performances of Louis Armstrong. These editions also allow for
the authentic recreation of these performances by future performers. The leadsheet
version is intended for the inclusion of these works into contemporary jazz performance,
providing the form and structure as a basis for improvisation in the Dixieland style.