Tin Roof Blues
Encyclopedia
Tin Roof Blues is a jazz
composition first recorded by the New Orleans Rhythm Kings
in 1923. It was written by band members Paul Mares
, Ben Pollack
, Mel Stitzel
, George Brunies
and Leon Roppolo
. The tune has become a jazz standard
and is one of the most often played early New Orleans jazz pieces.
The sheet music was published by Melrose music, with an illustration of a dance hall on Washington Avenue in New Orleans.
The origin of the composition has caused some controversy. It has been claimed that the tune was based on New Orleans pianist Richard M. Jones
's earlier composition "Jazzin' Babies Blues", specifically Joe "King" Oliver's rendition of it. Oliver recorded Jones's tune in June 1923, two months after NORK's "Tin Roof Blues" was released. Listeners claimed that the NORK had already been playing the tune several months before recording it. Jazz critic Martin Williams
argues in his book that "the only real similarity [he] hear[s] between them is that they are both 12-bar blues."
The simple melody which is shared as a strain in "Tin Roof" and "Jazzin' Babies Blues" was known to earlier New Orleans musicians under various titles; the white musicians being more familiar with it under the title "Pee Hole Blues" and the "colored" musicians as "Don't Get Funky 'Cause Your Water's On".
The Rhythm Kings first recorded the number on 13 March 1923 for Gennett Records
. There are three surviving alternative takes of the number from this session. The alternative takes were created as part of the phonograph recording and manufacture process; the musicians did not expect there to be different versions released which would be compared later. The Solos
on the original records contained less improvisation
than much of later jazz, and more than earlier jazz. Brunies's and Roppolo's solos were played similar but noticeably different on each of the three takes. Brunies continued to play the solo from the most famous take of the NORK recording for the rest of his career.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
composition first recorded by the New Orleans Rhythm Kings
New Orleans Rhythm Kings
The New Orleans Rhythm Kings were one of the most influential jazz bands of the early-to-mid 1920s. The band was a combination of New Orleans and Chicago musicians who helped shape Chicago Jazz and influenced many younger jazz musicians....
in 1923. It was written by band members Paul Mares
Paul Mares
Paul Mares , was an American early dixieland jazz cornet & trumpet player, and leader of the New Orleans Rhythm Kings.Mares was born in New Orleans. His father, Joseph E...
, Ben Pollack
Ben Pollack
Ben Pollack was a drummer and bandleader from the mid 1920s through the swing era. His eye for talent led him to either discover or employ, at one time or another, musicians such as Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Glenn Miller, Jimmy McPartland and Harry James...
, Mel Stitzel
Mel Stitzel
Mel Stitzel was a German-born pianist best known for his work with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, a leading jazz band of the early 1920s...
, George Brunies
George Brunies
George Brunies, aka Georg Brunis, was a jazz trombonist who came to fame in the 1930s, and was part of the Dixieland revival. He was known as the "King of the Tailgate Trombone"....
and Leon Roppolo
Leon Roppolo
Leon Roppolo was a prominent early jazz clarinetist, best known for his playing with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. Roppolo also played saxophone and guitar. Roppolo married Mabel Alice Branchard on 17 May 1920 in New Orleans...
. The tune has become a jazz standard
Jazz standard
Jazz standards are musical compositions which are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs deemed to be...
and is one of the most often played early New Orleans jazz pieces.
The sheet music was published by Melrose music, with an illustration of a dance hall on Washington Avenue in New Orleans.
The origin of the composition has caused some controversy. It has been claimed that the tune was based on New Orleans pianist Richard M. Jones
Richard M. Jones
Richard M. Jones, born Richard Marigny Jones, was a jazz pianist, composer, band leader, and record producer. Numerous songs bear his name as author, including "Trouble in Mind"....
's earlier composition "Jazzin' Babies Blues", specifically Joe "King" Oliver's rendition of it. Oliver recorded Jones's tune in June 1923, two months after NORK's "Tin Roof Blues" was released. Listeners claimed that the NORK had already been playing the tune several months before recording it. Jazz critic Martin Williams
Martin Williams
Martin T. Williams was born in Richmond, Virginia. He was a critic, specializing in jazz and American popular culture. He wrote for major jazz magazines, notably Down Beat, cofounded and coedited The Jazz Review, and wrote many books on jazz, summing up his understanding of its history in The Jazz...
argues in his book that "the only real similarity [he] hear[s] between them is that they are both 12-bar blues."
The simple melody which is shared as a strain in "Tin Roof" and "Jazzin' Babies Blues" was known to earlier New Orleans musicians under various titles; the white musicians being more familiar with it under the title "Pee Hole Blues" and the "colored" musicians as "Don't Get Funky 'Cause Your Water's On".
The Rhythm Kings first recorded the number on 13 March 1923 for Gennett Records
Gennett Records
Gennett was a United States based record label which flourished in the 1920s.-Label history:Gennett records was founded in Richmond, Indiana by the Starr Piano Company, and released its first records in October 1917. The company took its name from its top managers: Harry, Fred and Clarence Gennett....
. There are three surviving alternative takes of the number from this session. The alternative takes were created as part of the phonograph recording and manufacture process; the musicians did not expect there to be different versions released which would be compared later. The Solos
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
on the original records contained less improvisation
Improvisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
than much of later jazz, and more than earlier jazz. Brunies's and Roppolo's solos were played similar but noticeably different on each of the three takes. Brunies continued to play the solo from the most famous take of the NORK recording for the rest of his career.