From Rag to Jazz

Sure, Jelly Roll Morton was the one that placed a pistol on his piano when his sideman didn’t play the way he wanted. Needless to say, he was an important figure of jazz. His version of “Maple Leaf Rag” deserts from Scott Joplin’s original. By throwing syncopation in his left hand, Morton flipped the rag composition into a jazz performance. His inventive rendition is more elaborate and freer rhythmic improvisation.