As some of you know, I dig around E-bay for interesting coin piano
rolls.  I find these rolls to be time capsules of music history, not
to mention a source of great music for my coin pianos!  Currently on
E-bay at 200387870392 is another unique roll that caught my eye.  The
roll is an original of the Columbia "A" 1585 blues roll.

The roll is titled "Typical of a Colored Gentleman's Jazz Band".
This is the first "A" roll that I have noticed which has a title that
mentions the African American derivation of the music on the roll.
I find this interesting.  Many rolls of this type derive their
selections from this heritage but it is not stated.

What is also interesting is that many such songs found on these rolls
have no sheet music counterpart.  The original composer/pianist would
have probably been sought out by the roll company and "recorded" via
the roll equipment.  Are there other nickelodeon and orchestrion rolls
that so explicitly state their African American jazz heritage?  It would
be interesting to know if anyone knows of more.  The songs on Columbia
1585 date from around 1920.

An interesting selection on the roll mentioned in the listing is the
"Green Mill Garden Blues".  A link on the E-bay offering takes you to
the fascinating history of the Green Mill which still exists in
Chicago.  The history of the place is worth the read.

Tim Trager
tim@timtrager.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]

 [ The same program was also issued as an "O" roll:
 [    Columbia O-Roll No. O-477
 [   "Typical Of A Colored Gentleman's Jazz Band"
 [ Ref. http://www.valleyforgemusicroll.com/o-rolls.htm  -- Robbie