Jelly Roll Morton: A Short FIlm
For many Jazz admirers, Jelly Roll Morton (Joseph Ferdinand Lamothe) is not a name that they cannot recognize, but it is his story that often falls into the shadow. A story, documentary filmmaker and photographer, Elroy “EJ” Johson committed to telling. Originally born in Dallas, Elroy has been raised in several states such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Minnesota, but he can trace his roots back to Louisiana (especially Natchitoches parish). Passionate to recount the stories of both the marginalized and the black community, he regards his work as a way to connect with his own roots and to encourage people to preserve and learn about these stories.
He tells us, “I was fascinated by Jelly Roll's story because he was a forerunner of what has become one of the greatest genres of music in the world, jazz.” Jelly Roll, a man raised in a traditional New Orleans Catholic family, faced a barrier, his love for music and the Catholic church. According to Elroy, “Jelly Roll explains in his own words, playing the piano was seen as a more feminine instrument at the time.” A story that is quite common for black musicians who tend to also play music in churches. It is this story and its frequence that inspired the filmmaker.
Elroy Johnson and Carly Leday viewing an image while filming
Yet, like every project, it started with an idea that could touch on not only the identity but also the reality of the city and music. Elroy and his team had to study the identity of New Orleans and Jazz of the time period. A possible task due to the ability to access the Storyville Museum in New Orleans and Jelly Roll’s interview. Elroy tells us, “We did a lot of research, including listening to Jelly Roll Morton's actual interview with Alan Lomax from the 1930s, part of which is featured in the film.”
Chris Charles as young Jelly Roll Morton
The filmmaker gives credit to his team. A team that is all local to Louisiana. With members such as Carly Leday, creative producer, who helped to scout talent and who discovered Chris Charles and his brother Malique Ward. According to the filmmaker, “It took a while to find casting that really captured the look and feel of Jelly Roll Morton.” Yet, it was the first role for Chris who played the young Jelly Roll and his brother Malique who embodied the older Jelly Roll. An instant Elroy described as iconic and that it brought a special something to the set.
The Creole language also has a place within the film. Elroy explains, “As a New Orleans Creole grandmother born in 19th-century New Orleans, the language would have been central to her life, as it was for many New Orleanians.” In the film, the grandmother who is played by Lyttany Whitley, native of Lafayette, is bilingual. With many of her lines in English, the public can hear her plead with God in our Creole language.
Lyttany Whiltey as Grand-Mère reading the bible
For Elroy “EJ” Johnson and his team, the work is not over. They plan to shine a light on other black figures who have left an imprint on our history to give people a visual representation of an individual’s life and a key moment that helped form their legacy. They wish to produce more short films that attract the community to learn about these people.
“Jelly Roll Morton” is now available on Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok. You can also view it on the page @Thedirector_ej and Fordham Stories. It will be available on YouTube shortly.
