The chant – Free Jazz Lead Sheet
Bb to Ab Major – Jelly Roll Morton 1926
The Chant by Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe (1926) is a New Orleans jazz piece in Bb to Ab Major. The tune showcases ensemble interplay and collective improvisation, characteristic of the early New Orleans style. Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe contributed to the rich tradition of New Orleans jazz through this memorable composition. The piece exemplifies the vibrant musical culture of the city that gave birth to jazz.
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"The Chant" was composed by Jelly Roll Morton and first recorded in 1926 in Chicago by Morton’s Red Hot Peppers. The recording exemplified Morton’s intricate approach to early jazz arranging, blending composed ensemble passages with space for improvisation.
Later revival groups kept the tune alive, drawn to its merging of Latin rhythmic influences with New Orleans-style polyphony. Built from several contrasting strains, the piece highlights Morton’s trademark balance of structure and spontaneity, contributing to its ongoing status as a showcase for traditional jazz ensembles.
About the composer: Jelly Roll Morton
Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, known as Jelly Roll Morton, was an American jazz pianist and composer born in New Orleans around 1890. A Creole man of Louisiana descent, Morton is best known for his early compositions like "Jelly Roll Blues" and "King Porter Stomp," which helped shape the jazz genre.
