King Porter Stomp
Encyclopedia
"King Porter Stomp" is a swing-era jazz standard
by Jelly Roll Morton
. The composition is considered to be important in the development of jazz
.
According to Jelly Roll Morton, the tune was composed in 1905. Morton first recorded the number in 1923 as a piano solo, but did not file a copyright
on the tune until 1924. That year, Morton recorded a duet version with Joe "King" Oliver on cornet. Morton said that he had actually written the tune almost 20 years earlier, and that it was named after his friend and fellow pianist Porter King.
In 1935, Benny Goodman
and his orchestra recorded Fletcher Henderson
's arrangement of the number, which became a huge hit, becoming a standard of the Big Band
era. Goodman's recording featured the well known trumpeter of the day Bunny Berigan
. Fletcher Henderson had recorded his own arrangement several times with his own band during the 1920s and early 1930s. Other big bands also recorded the tune, as did more traditional jazz groups.
Late 1960s "space-age" bandleader Pat Williams recorded the song on his 1968 Verve LP Shades of Today.
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...
by Jelly Roll Morton
Jelly Roll Morton
Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe , known professionally as Jelly Roll Morton, was an American ragtime and early jazz pianist, bandleader and composer....
. The composition is considered to be important in the development of jazz
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...
.
According to Jelly Roll Morton, the tune was composed in 1905. Morton first recorded the number in 1923 as a piano solo, but did not file a copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
on the tune until 1924. That year, Morton recorded a duet version with Joe "King" Oliver on cornet. Morton said that he had actually written the tune almost 20 years earlier, and that it was named after his friend and fellow pianist Porter King.
In 1935, Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
and his orchestra recorded Fletcher Henderson
Fletcher Henderson
James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, Jr. was an American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and swing music. His was one of the most prolific black orchestras and his influence was vast...
's arrangement of the number, which became a huge hit, becoming a standard of the Big Band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
era. Goodman's recording featured the well known trumpeter of the day Bunny Berigan
Bunny Berigan
Rowland Bernard "Bunny" Berigan was an American jazz trumpeter who rose to fame during the swing era, but whose virtuosity and influence were shortened by a losing battle with alcoholism that ended in his early death at age 33. He composed the jazz instrumentals "Chicken and Waffles" and "Blues"...
. Fletcher Henderson had recorded his own arrangement several times with his own band during the 1920s and early 1930s. Other big bands also recorded the tune, as did more traditional jazz groups.
Late 1960s "space-age" bandleader Pat Williams recorded the song on his 1968 Verve LP Shades of Today.