Original Memphis Five

The Original Memphis Five was an early jazz quintet founded in 1917 by trumpeter Phil Napoleon and pianist Frank Signorelli.

The group made many recordings between 1921 and 1931, sometimes under different names, including Ladd's Black Aces[1] and The Cotton Pickers.

[1] The name Original Memphis Five was first used in 1920, and applied to small groups of white musicians throughout the decade.

[1] Cook and Morton identify Jimmy Lytell and Miff Mole as standout musicians in the group.

[1] Occasional vocalists were Anna Meyers, Annette Hanshaw and Vernon Dalhart (as George White).

Edison Diamond Disc record: "The Jelly Roll blues", composed by Jelly Roll Morton, performed by The Original Memphis Five, recorded in New York, New York on September 22, 1923. Release number 51246, matrix number 9173-C-1-1. From the sound archive at Thomas Edison National Historical Park, National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior, West Orange, New Jersey, USA.
Edison disc record: "The Jelly Roll blues", performed by The Original Memphis Five, recorded in New York, New York on September 22, 1923.