The Olympia Orchestra was an American
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...
dance band active in
from around 1906 into the late 1910s.
The Olympia Orchestra was founded by
Freddie Keppard
Freddie Keppard (sometimes rendered as Freddy Keppard; February 27, 1890 – July 15, 1933) was an American jazz cornetist who once held the title of "King" in the New Orleans jazz scene. This title was previously held by Buddy Bolden and suc ...
, and typically held between five and seven members. The instrumentation usually consisted of
cornet, trombone, clarinet, guitar or banjo, piano, tuba or
double bass
The double bass (), also known simply as the bass () (or by other names), is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed (or plucked) string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra (excluding unorthodox additions such as the octobass). Similar i ...
, and drums. This group established Keppard's reputation as a cornetist; when he left the group in 1914,
A.J. Piron became its leader, and he added
King Oliver
Joseph Nathan "King" Oliver (December 19, 1881 – April 8/10, 1938) was an American jazz cornet player and bandleader. He was particularly recognized for his playing style and his pioneering use of mutes in jazz. Also a notable composer, he wr ...
as the group's cornetist.
Under Keppard, the group's personnel included
Joseph Petit,
Alphonse Picou
Alphonse Floristan Picou (October 19, 1878 – February 4, 1961) was an important very early American jazz clarinetist of New Orleans, Louisiana, who also wrote and arranged music.
Early life and education
Alphonse Picou was born into a prosper ...
,
Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet (May 14, 1897 – May 14, 1959) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first important soloists in jazz, and first recorded several months before trumpeter Louis Armstrong. His erratic tempe ...
,
Louis Keppard and
Ernest Trepagnier; under Piron, they included
Zue Robertson,
Clarence Williams,
Billy Marrero (
Lawrence Marrero
Lawrence Henry Marrero (October 24, 1900 – June 6, 1959) was an American jazz banjoist.
Early life
Marrero was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 24, 1900. He grew up in a musical family: three brothers became musicians – Eddie (bass) ...
's father),
John Lindsay
John Vliet Lindsay (; November 24, 1921 – December 19, 2000) was an American politician and lawyer. During his political career, Lindsay was a U.S. congressman, mayor of New York City, and candidate for U.S. president. He was also a regular ...
, and
Louis Cottrell Sr.
References
*William J. Schafer, "Olympia Orchestra". ''
Grove Jazz'' online.
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American jazz ensembles from New Orleans
Musical groups from New Orleans