James Palao (February 19, 1879 – January 8, 1925) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

musician.

Early life

Palao was born in

Algiers, New Orleans Algiers () is a historic neighborhood of New Orleans and is the only Orleans Parish community located on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Algiers is known as the 15th Ward, one of the 17 Wards of New Orleans. It was once home to many j ...

Louisiana Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...

, on February 19, 1879. His parents were Felix Palao and Clotile Rebecca Spriggs. Jimmy had violin lessons as a child.

Later life and career

Palao's profession was recorded as "musician" in the 1900 census, but little is known of his career prior to 1907, although he did play in local bands such as the Pacific Brass Band. Palao married Armontine Carter in 1905. The couple had five children, four of whom survived infancy. In 1911, his composition " O You Sweet Rag" was published by H. Kirkus Dugdale. Armontine left him in 1912 and moved to Los Angeles; Palao rejoined her there the following year. In California, he started working in a string trio with Norwood Williams and Dink Johnson. They recruited several others from New Orleans to form The Original Creole Orchestra. The other members were Freddy Keppard, Eddie Vincent, and George Baquet. Palao and his family moved to New York City around 1916, and stayed for two years. Palao played with

King Oliver Joseph Nathan "King" Oliver (December 19, 1881 – April 10, 1938) was an American jazz cornet player and bandleader. He was particularly recognized for his playing style and his pioneering use of mutes in jazz. Also a notable composer, he wro ...

's band during 1921–22. In 1923 he was with the Syncopated Ginger Snaps, accompanying Dave and Tessie, who were a song and dance act. Around 1924, Palao and his family moved to Chicago from Milwaukee. He had to leave the touring Syncopated Ginger Snaps and return to Chicago because he had

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB), also known colloquially as the "white death", or historically as consumption, is a contagious disease usually caused by ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can al ...

. He died there on January 8, 1925, and was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

References

Bibliography

* 1879 births 1925 deaths American jazz bandleaders Louisiana Creole people Jazz musicians from New Orleans 20th-century deaths from tuberculosis Tuberculosis deaths in Illinois {{Jazz-musician-stub