The Olympia Orchestra 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 ...

dance band active in

New Orleans New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...

from around 1906 into the late 1910s. The Olympia Orchestra was founded by

Freddie Keppard Freddie Keppard (sometimes rendered as Freddy Keppard; February 27, 1890 – July 15, 1933) was an American jazz cornetist who once held the title of "King" in the New Orleans jazz scene. This title was previously held by Buddy Bolden and su ...

, and typically held between five and seven members. The instrumentation usually consisted of

cornet The cornet (, ) is a brass instrument similar to the trumpet but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. There is also a soprano cor ...

, trombone, clarinet, guitar or banjo, piano, tuba or

double bass The double bass (), also known as the upright bass, the acoustic bass, the bull fiddle, or simply the bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument, chordophone in the modern orchestra, symphony orchestra (excluding rare additions ...

, and drums. This group established Keppard's reputation as a cornetist; when he left the group in 1914,

A.J. Piron Armand John "A.J." Piron (August 16, 1888 – February 17, 1943) was an American jazz violinist who led dance bands during the 1910s thru the 1930s. Early life A.J. Piron was born August 16, 1888, to Octave Louis Piron and Marie Jeanne Zerin ...

became its leader, and he added

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 ...

as the group's cornetist. Under Keppard, the group's personnel included Joseph Petit,

Alphonse Picou Alphonse Floristan Picou (October 19, 1878 – February 4, 1961) was an important very early American jazz clarinetist, who also wrote and arranged music. He was born and died in New Orleans, Louisiana. Early life and education Alphonse Picou w ...

Sidney Bechet Sidney Joseph Bechet ( ; May 14, 1897 – May 14, 1959) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first important Solo (music), soloists in jazz, and first recorded several months before trumpeter Louis Ar ...

Louis Keppard Louis Keppard (February 2, 1888, New Orleans – February 18, 1986, New Orleans) was an American jazz guitarist and tubist. He was the brother of Freddie Keppard. Louis played in the Cherry Blossom Band and then led his own group, the Magno ...

and Ernest Trepagnier; under Piron, they included Zue Robertson, Clarence Williams, Billy Marrero (

Lawrence Marrero Lawrence Henry Marrero (October 24, 1900 – June 6, 1959) was an American jazz banjoist. Early life Marrero was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 24, 1900. He grew up in a musical family: three brothers became musicians – Eddie (bass) ...

's father),

John Lindsay John Vliet Lindsay (; November 24, 1921 – December 19, 2000) was an American politician and lawyer. During his political career, Lindsay was a U.S. congressman, the mayor of New York City, and a candidate for U.S. president. He was also a regu ...

, and Louis Cottrell Sr.

References

*William J. Schafer, "Olympia Orchestra". '' Grove Jazz'' online. {{Authority control Jazz ensembles from New Orleans