Nick LaRocca

The founder and leader of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Nick LaRocca did much to help popularize jazz during the band's existence, although he hurt his own cause decades later by claiming to have been one of jazz's main originators. LaRocca, who had a good tone but was not a major improviser, was self-taught. He co-led a kids band with violinist Henry Young in 1905, freelanced (with Dominic Barocca, Bill Gallity and the Brunies Brothers, among others), and occasionally headed his own group. During 1912-1916, LaRocca frequently played with Papa Jack Laine's Reliance Band. H...