Dominic James "Nick" LaRocca papers, 1885-1961 | Hogan Jazz Archive

By Samantha Bruner

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Collection Overview

Title: Dominic James "Nick" LaRocca papers, 1885-1961

Predominant Dates:1915-1961

ID: HJA/MS 008

Primary Creator: LaRocca, Nick

Extent: 100.0 Linear Feet

Arrangement: The materials have been arranged into twelve series according to medium or subject: newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, journals and magazines, sheet music, publicity, business and personal documents, deposition, oversize materials, scrapbooks, books, albums and test pressings. Each series has its own box and folder list.

Date Acquired: 05/18/1960

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection contains newspaper clippings, fliers, posters, programs and other publicity materials, along with photographs, books, test pressings of O.D.J.B. records, correspondence and sheet music. The collection also includes five scrapbooks, created by Nick LaRocca.

Biographical Note

Dominic James "Nick" LaRocca (1889-1961) was a self-taught New Orleans cornetist who became the leader of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, which made the first recording of jazz in New York City in 1917. Based on the popularity of the recording and live performances, the O.D.J.B. became a sensation, traveling to England in 1919. After returning to the U.S. in 1920, the band broke up in 1925 and then refomed briefly from 1936-38, after which LaRocca Returned to New Orleans to resume work as a contractor.

Administrative Information

Repository: Hogan Jazz Archive

Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research.

Acquisition Source: Dominic James "Nick" LaRocca

Acquisition Method: Donation

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Newspaper Clippings],
[Series 2: Correspondence, 1917-1960],
[Series 3: Photographs],
[Series 4: Journals and Magazines],
[Series 5: Sheet Music],
[Series 6: Publicity],
[Series 7: Business and Personal Documents],
[Series 8: Deposition],
[Series 9: Oversize Materials],
[Series 10: Scrapbooks],
[Series 11: Books],
[Series 12: Albums and Test Pressings],
[All]

Series 3: Photographs

Box 6

Folder 1: Unidentified photos
Item 1: O.D.J.B., 1916: Back annotated by LaRocca.
Item 2: Emile Christian, 1916: Back annotated by LaRocca.
Item 3: Larry Shields, 1916: Back annotated by LaRocca.
Item 4: Anthony Sbarbaro, 1916: Back annotated by LaRocca.
Item 5: O.D.J.B., January 1917: Names inscribed by LaRocca.
Item 6: Nick LaRocca, 1917: Back annotated by LaRocca.
Item 7: "Tiger Rag" Sheet music and Winter Garden Advertisement, 1918: Also includes a portion of a newspaper article, "Original Dixieland Jazz Band Highest Priced Orchestra in the World".
Item 8: O.D.J.B. at the London Hippodrome, April 1919
Item 9: O.D.J.B. in London, 1919
Item 10: The Palladium, street view, 1919: 4 photos.
Item 11: O.D.J.B. at Palais de Danse, 1919
Item 12: O.D.J.B. on stage with stuffed bear and monkey, 1920: In London.
Item 13: O.D.J.B., 1920
Item 14: The American Five, 1920: Incribed to the O.D.J.B. Back annotated by LaRocca.
Item 15: Nick LaRocca, 1920?
Item 16: Clippings, O.D.J.B. at Central Park Zoo, 1921
Item 17: O.D.J.B. and Elephant, 1921
Item 18: Lioness, Central Park Zoo, 1921
Item 19: Polar Bear, Central Park Zoo, 1921
Item 20: The Jazz Vampires, 1921: London. Inscribed to the O.D.J.B.
Item 21: O.D.J.B., 1922: Back inscribed by LaRocca.
Item 22: O.D.J.B. at Balconades Ballroom, 1922: Back annotated by LaRocca.
Item 23: Frank Signorelli, 1922(?): Back annotated by LaRocca.
Item 24: O.D.J.B. 1936 Recording Session
Item 25: O.D.J.B. 1936: Four photographs.
Item 26: Eddie Edwards, 1936
Item 27: J. Russel Robinson, 1936
Item 28: Orpheum Theatre Sign, 1937
Item 29: RKO Theater, February 1937
Item 30: Palace Theater Sign, January 1938
Item 31: Nick LaRocca with Phil Zito's Orchestra, 1946: Four photographs.
Item 32: Nick LaRocca with Cornet, 1955: Two photos by Joe Mares.
Item 33: Nick LaRocca with Gene Austin and Others, 1958: Persons left to right: James LaRocca, Buddie LaRocca, Phil Zito, George Moines, Nick LaRocca, Gene Austin.
Item 34: Nick LaRocca with Gene Austin, 1958: Inscribed by Gene Austin.
Item 35: Nick LaRocca, 1960: From the Tulanian photoshoot.
Item 36: Nick LaRocca at Piano, 1960: Four copies. From the Tulanian photoshoot.
Item 37: Nick LaRocca with Photograph and Sheet Music, 1960: From the Tulanian photoshoot.
Item 38: Nick LaRocca with Cornet, 1960: Two photos, two copies of each. From Tulanian photoshoot.
Item 39: Nick LaRocca with Tulanian Interviewer, 1960: From Tulanian photoshoot.
Item 40: O.D.J.B., undated
Item 41: Nick LaRocca and Joe Mares, undated
Item 42: Nick LaRocca with Family, undated: Persons from left to right: Rth, Carolyn, James, "Mother" Ruth, Carl, Nick, Jerome Dominic Jr.
Item 43: Marlyn Stuart with O.D.J.B., undated: Photo by Richard Tucker.
Item 44: Drawing: "To Nick from Marlyn", undated
Item 45: Postcard: New Orleans Manager of the O.D.J.B., undated
Item 46: Jazz Novelty Two, undated: Inscribed, "From Students to the Professors"
Item 47: Ernest Hare, undated: Inscribed by Ernest Hare to the O.D.J.B.
Item 48: Ruby "Boots" Cullins: Two photos.

Tulane University Special Collections