dixieland

A Sixty Second Interview with Nick LaRocca By Flannery February 28th, 1917
 * Classy Cornetist Jams with New “Jazz” Sound**

Nick LaRocca, born from impoverished Sicilian-American immigrants and native son of New Orleans, has now reached wild fame in New York and Chicago as the cornetist for the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. The band, formed in New Orleans, is composed of five men: Tony “Spargo” Sbarbo (drummer), Edwin “Daddy” Edwards (trombonist), Larry Shields (clarinetist), Henry Ragas (pianist), and Dominick James “Nick” LaRocca. The band moved from New Orleans to Chicago in 1916 and just recently gained the title of first band to release a jazz record with their hit “Livery Stable Blues/Dixie Jass Band One Step” which was released on February 26th, two days ago.

Today, LaRocca has come to talk with us and tell us about his band, the move from New Orleans to Chicago, and the new “jazz” sound that’s sweeping the north.

The band started by all us musicians meeting in Papa Jack Laine’s Reliance Brass Band down in New Orleans. First folks we had were Alcide Nunez, the original clarinetist, and Johnny Stein, drummer and they started the band in 1916 with Daddy Edwards, Henry Ragas, and Frank Christian, the latter of all was in my job at the time. Christian backed out and I took his place, and Nunez and Stein left, and got replaced by the players now.
 * So, Nick, can you tell us a little more about how the ODJB formed?**

Well, business was bad in New Orleans after Storyville got closed up. There was a great number of jazz musicians- us included- that went up the Mississippi to the north for offers of work playing the swingin’ Dixie sound. Nunez and Stein got an offer from a Chicago promoter and formed up a band real quick. There just weren’t no more jobs in the south, and we didn’t stay there too long but to pick up some new sounds from Basin Street and Storyville.
 * And you stayed in New Orleans for a time until you traveled to Chicago?**

Basin Street was the great divider of Storyville. You had the downtown side for whites and you had the uptown side for blacks. We would all listen to each other, maybe play one night and then go straight to the other side to see a black band play. They had a kinda rougher, jazzier sound that we picked up a little.
 * Sounds?**

I wouldn’t say there’s much of a change. Jazz began with the plantation owners couple years back wantin’ music, and the sound just spread. Sure, it’s more refined now it’s getting a wider audience from people copying us, but the main draw of the northerners to jazz is that it has a southern, Dixie feeling. There’s a new style going around now they call big band, but it’s more people and fancier, so I don’t think it’ll catch on much. We brought original jazz to the north and we’re here to stay.
 * You said there were a bunch of you that came up to the north. Do you think the music’s changed much now that it’s here?**

Chicago’s got the speakeasies, and the happening nightspots, and ‘cause of these it’s got jobs for us poor musicians. It’s easy to get to from New Orleans- you just take the Illinois Central [railroad] and the city’s just waiting to get its hands on new jazz musicians. It’s also got something a little like Storyville in the Stroll and the north side, where there’s a white and black separation and different types of music’s played.
 * Also, why Chicago?**

We don’t call ourselves “untuneful harmonists playing peppery melodies” for no reason! We got tenacity on stage, and like I said, Chicago loves great Dixieland bands.
 * ODJB has been noticed for their fun stage presence and new musical feeling, drawing Columbia records to sign you only two weeks after you arrived.**

Thanks! Look out for my new composition, “Tiger Rag” coming soon.
 * Well, we expect much from you all. Good luck, and it was good to talk to you.**

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