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Finding Aid

Dominic James "Nick" LaRocca papers

Overview

Scope and Contents

Biographical Note

Administrative Information

Journals and Magazines

Sheet Music

Publicity

Business and Personal Documents

Albums and Test Pressings

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 6: Publicity

Box 9: Programs, Flyers, Radio and Record Lists, 1916 - 1960

Folder 1: 1916

Item 1: Casino Gardens Card, 1916
Item 2: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at Casino Gardens, 1916: Annotated by LaRocca.
Item 3: Casino Gardens Flyer, 1916: Featuring "Bert Kelley's Original New Orleans Jazz Band" (O.D.J.B.) and The Famous Louisville Jug Band. Annotated by LaRocca.

Folder 2: 1917

Item 1: Admission Pass (Press) for Reisenweber's Ball., 4/1/1917
Item 2: Program: Reisenweber's Ball, 4/1/1917
Item 3: Reisenweber's Advertisement, 1917
Item 4: Reisenweber's Flyer, 1917: Annotated by LaRocca.
Item 5: Reisenweber's Afternoon Tea Dances Program, 1917
Item 6: Silver Ball Flyer, 12/21/1917(?): Held at Webster Hall, 119 East 11 Street.

Folder 3: 1918

Item 1: Invitation: Gala Entertainment for the Catholic War Fund, 3/22/1918
Item 2: Program: War Hospital Entertainment Association, 6/14/1918: Gala at U.S. Army General Hospital No. 1 in New York City.
Item 3: Dance Card, 10/16/1918: From the First Grand Ball and Banquant given by the crew of the U.S.S. Charleston. Held at the Hostel Astor. O.D.J.B. provided music. Includes a list of Ball members, committes, dance program and dinner menu.

Folder 4: 1919

Item 1: Actor's Ball Flyer, 2/7/1919
Item 2: Actor's Ball Program, 2/7/1919
Item 3: Concert Program: R.M.S. Adriatic, 3/29/1919
Item 4: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at the Palladium, 4/14/1919
Item 5: Palladium Flyer, 4/21/1919
Item 6: Palladium Program, April 1919
Item 7: "Joy Bells" Program, 4/23/1919: Held at the London Hippodrome.
Item 8: Advertisement: "Joy-Bells!" Ball, 4/23/1919
Item 9: Program: Knights of Columbus Dance, 6/27/1919: American students farewell dance in London.
Item 10: Program: Festival of Peace, 7/19/1919
Item 11: Palais de Danse Dance Program, 1919
Item 12: Advertisement: Palais de Danse, 1919
Item 13: Bilboard Advertisement: Photocopy of a photograph. Unknown location and date.
Item 14: Garrick Theatre Program

Folder 5: 1920

Item 1: "From New Orleans to Hammersmith with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band", June 1920: From Palais Dancing News.
Item 2: Amusements: Where to Go and What to See, Week of 7/4/1920: Atlantic City guidebook.
Item 3: Flyer: Gilda Gray and the O.D.J.B. at the Folies Bergere, 9/25/1919
Item 4: Advertisement: Gilda Gray and the O.D.J.B. at the Folies Bergere, September 1920
Item 5: Postcard: O.D.J.B. at the Folies Bergere, 1920
Item 6: Folies Bergere Advertisement, 1920

Folder 6: 1921

Item 1: Advertisement: Folies Bergere, February, May 1921: From Broadway Brevities.
Item 2: Advertisement: Sophie Tucker and her Five Kings of Syncopation, 5/26/1921
Item 3: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at the Wurlitzer Building, 1921
Item 4: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at Cafe LaMarne, 1921
Item 5: LaMarne Billboard, 1921: Photocopy of a photograph.
Item 6: Cafe LaMarne Postcard, 1921
Item 7: Advertisement: Sophie Tucker and O.D.J.B. at LaMarne, 1921
Item 8: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at LaMarne, 1921
Item 9: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at LaMarne, 1921
Item 10: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at LaMarne, 1921
Item 11: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at LaMarne, 1921
Item 12: Ball Invitation, 6/15/1921: O.D.J.B. at LaMarne.
Item 13: Boxing Match Program: Jack Dempsey vs. Georges Carpentier, 7/2/1921
Item 14: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at Hampton Hall, 9/29/1921: In Wilkes-Barre, Pensylvania.
Item 15: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at Willa Garden, 10/12/1921
Item 16: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at Coliseum Hall, 10/13/1921: In York, Pensylvania.
Item 17: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at Hiemenz Auditorium, 10/15/1921: In Lancaster, Pensylvania.
Item 18: Program: O.D.J.B. at Edgewood Park, 10/28/1921: In Shamokin, Pensylvania.
Item 19: Program: Bal Masque of Alpha Phi Fraternity, 2/2/1921: The O.D.J.B. was one of the bands engaged for the event.
Item 20: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. in Altoona, Pennsylvania, 11/8/1921
Item 21: Program: O.D.J.B. at Duquesne Garden, 11/4,11/1921
Item 22: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at The Music Hall: Unknown location.

Folder 7: 1922

Item 1: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at Balconades Ballroom, 1/13/1922: Autograph date is incorrect.
Item 2: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at Balconades Ballroom with Morton Dennison's Society Orchestra, 1/15/1922
Item 3: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at Balconades Ballroom, 1/24/1922
Item 4: Advertisement: Paul Whiteman and the O.D.J.B. at the Auditorium, 4/13/1922
Item 5: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. with Paul Whiteman's Orchestra, 4/18/1922
Item 6: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at the Rosebud, May 1922
Item 7: Flyer: O.D.J.B. with Rosevue Society Orchestra, 6/24/1922
Item 8: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at Rosevue Ballroom, 6/24/1922
Item 9: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at the Rosebud, 1922
Item 10: Riverside Theatre Program, 10/9/1922
Item 11: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at Dance de Danceland, 12/6/1922 (?)
Item 12: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at Busoni's Danceland, 1922
Item 13: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at Busoni's Danceland, 1922: Three different clippings.
Item 14: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at Busoni's Danceland, 1922
Item 15: Flyer: Oriole Baths

Folder 8: 1923

Item 1: Flyer: Barn Dance at Danceland, 2/28/1923
Item 2: New York Amusements, 1/8/1923: New York city guide.
Item 3: Flyer: Star Casino, 3/31/1923: Lists a band under the name "Dixieland Jazz Band." Annotated by LaRocca.
Item 4: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at "Jenuine Jazz Jubilee"
Item 5: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at Mechanic's Hall, Boston, 4/14/1923
Item 6: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at Bangor Auditorium, 4/17/1923
Item 7: Program Cover: Annual Banquet of the Talking Machine Men, Inc., 4/25/1923: O.D.J.B. listed as one of the bands to perform. Annotated by LaRocca.
Item 8: Ticket Stub for World's Heavyweight Championship, 9/14/1923
Item 9: Flyer: O.D.J.B. at the Ambassador Ballroom, 9/21/1923
Item 10: Flyer: O.D.J.B. in Passaic, New Jersey, 11/3/1923

Folder 9: 1924 - 1927

Item 1: Program: The Dixieland Sensations at the Rosebud Ballroom, 4/19/1924: Annotated by LaRocca.
Item 2: Program: Dinner in Honor of Charles A. Lindbergh, 10/8/1927

Folder 10: 1929 - 1931

Item 1: Advertisement: Eddie Edwards and his Original Silver Slipper Orchestra at Krueger's Auditorium, 12/25/1929, 1/1/1930
Item 2: Musette Farish 1931 Dance Fete, 5/21/1931: Held at the Tulane Theatre. Annotated by LaRocca. Includes a clipping from the New Orleans States frp, 5/28/1960 entitled "One in Famous Jazz Clan Who Quit it Early."

Folder 11: 1936 - 1937

Item 1: Pamphlet: Benny Goodman: Swingmaster, 1936: Annotated by LaRocca.
Item 2: Invitation: Saturday Night Swing Club, 10/31/1936
Item 3: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. with Ken Murray and Oswald, 2/12/1937
Item 4: Milwaukee City Guide, 3/20/1937
Item 5: Paramount Theatre Magazine Program, 5/5/1937: Photocopy of original.
Item 6: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at Little Old New York, 10/12/1937: From The Daily News.
Item 7: Advertisement: O.D.J.B. at Orpheum Theater, 2/24/1937: From The Commercial Appeal, Memphis.
Item 8: Flyer: O.D.J.B. on CBS and NBC Radio, 4/19/1937

Folder 12: 1949 - 1959

Item 1: Flyer: George Hartman and His Dixieland Band, 5/13/1949
Item 2: Reader's Digest, Vol. XI, No. 24., 2/10/1958: Highlighted Article: "New Orleans Scenes Featured in Three Exhibits at Cabildo"
Item 3: Program: Isobel DeMarco on Piano, 11/12/1959: Chopin Concert, Fulton Chapel. Inscribed to LaRocca by DeMarco's step-father.

Folder 13: Undated Publicity Materials

Item 1: Card: Dabie Boyd's Triangle Orchestra: Back inscribed with an address.
Item 2: Program: O.D.J.B. at the Auditorum
Item 3: Program Fragment: Frank Farnum and the O.D.J.B.: With Florence Gast in "Everybody Step."
Item 4: Advertisement for O.D.J.B.
Item 5: "A Toast to John Philip Sousa": Annotation by LaRocca reads: "From this man I styled my music from his marches."
Item 6: Flyer: "Concert by Dixieland Jazz Band in Store Auditorium"
Item 7: Flyer Fragment
Item 8: Cartoon from The Saturday Evening Post.
Item 9: Comic Strip: "The Katzenjammer Kids"
Item 10: Untitled Cartoon
Item 11: The Vocalion Red Record Flyer: O.D.J.B. pictured.

Folder 14: Radio Transcripts

Item 1: "The Ed Wynn Grab Bag", 7/28/1936: NBC, WEAF. 9:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Item 2: "The Cavalcade of America: The Evolution of Dance Music in America", 8/26/1936
Item 3: Radio Program Guide, 9/20/1936
Item 4: "The Magic Key", 9/20/1936: Radio Corporation of America, WJZ, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Item 5: "Saturday Night Swing Club", 10/31/1936: Columbia Broadcasting System. 6:45-7:15 p.m. Two copies.
Item 6: Untitled Radio Show, 1937
Item 7: "Tommy Dorsey: His Trombone and His Orchestra", 1/13/1938: NBC Blue Network, 9:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Item 8: Radio Guide from Radio Times, 9/25/1959
Item 9: Postal Telegraph Theatre Guide Program, 10/12/?: Sation Wins, 110 E. 58 Street. Interview with LaRocca.
Item 10: Radio Program Guide, Undated: Lists the O.D.J.B. on WJZ with Ben Bernie.

Folder 15: Record Advertisements

Item 1: "At The Jazz Band Ball" / "Ostrich Walk"
Item 2: Barnyard Blues
Item 3: Buescher Instruments: LaRocca and Edwards are pictured.
Item 4: "Dangerous Blues"
Item 5: Frank Holton and Co. Instruments: LaRoca pictured.
Item 6: His Master's Voice Records: O.D.J.B. : B.1021 - "At the Jazz Band Ball" / "Ostrich Walk", B.1022 - "Bluin' the Blues" / "Sensation Rag."
Item 7: "I Never Realized"
Item 8: "My Pillow and Me": Annotated by LaRocca.
Item 9: Original Dixieland Jazz Band Advertisement Fragment
Item 10: O.D.J.B. on Columbia Records
Item 11: O.D.J.B. - "The Nation's Record Makers"
Item 12: "Original Dixieland One-Step"
Item 13: "Ramblin' Blues": Photocopy.
Item 14: "Some Rainy Night"
Item 15: "Some Rainy Night" Fragment
Item 16: "Sweet Mama, Papa's Getting Mad": Photocopy.
Item 17: "Sweet Mama, Papa's Getting Mad" at Dwyer's Piano Co.
Item 18: "Sweet Mama" and "Louisiana" at Dwyer's Piano Co.
Item 19: "St. Louis Blues" at Grunewald's
Item 20: "St. Louis Blues" and "Jazz Me Blues" at Dugan Piano Co.
Item 21: "New Victor Records Jass Band and other Dance Selections"
Item 22: Victor Records Advertisement Fragment
Item 23: "When You Hear That Dixieland Jazz Band Play"

Folder 16: Record Lists

Item 1: Columbia Records Catologue, 1918 -1919
Item 2: "All the Latest Revues and Musical Comedies by the Original Artists on Columbia", 1919?
Item 3: "New Jazz and Other Dance Music", 1919?: Columbia Records
Item 4: "New Dance Records and Complete List of Dance Music", 1919?: Columbia Records
Item 5: His Master's Voice New Records, September, 1919
Item 6: "The Latest Dance Music on His Master's Voice", November, 1919
Item 7: "His Master's Voice" - Victor Records, May, 1921
Item 8: Odeon Records, 1923
Item 9: The Fabulous Fives: The Six Big Fives of Early White New York Jazz", 1959: Horst H. Lange's Discography of the O.D.J.B., Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band, Louisiana Five, New Orleans Jazz Band, Original Memphis Five, and the Original Indiana Five.
Item 10: A "Tiger Rag" Discography, 1958-1959: Compiled by Horst H. Lange. Dedicated to Nick LaRocca.
Item 11: New Victor Records, undated
Item 12: "Accent on You", undated: Center Music Store catalogue.
Item 13: Aeolian Vocalian Records Dealers' Advance List, undated
Item 14: O.D.J.B. Discography, undated: Annotated by LaRocca.

Box 15: Oversize Publicity Materials

Item 1: AdvertisementL Buescher Instruments: LaRocca pictured.
Item 2: Cartoon: Bruce Gentry, 9/30/1945
Item 3: Poster: O.D.J.B. at Busoni's Danceland, 1922
Item 4: Poster: O.D.J.B. at the Capitol Ballroom
Item 5: Poster: O.D.J.B. on Columbia Records
Item 6: Program: Balconades Ballroom, 1922
Item 7: Program: Palais de Danse, 1919
Item 8: Record Advertisement: Sweet Mama, Papa's Getting Mad
Item 9: Record Advertisement: Victor

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