Edward “Kid” Ory
December 25, 1886 – January 23, 1973
Kid Ory was one of Dixieland jazz’s most influential trombonists. His was one of the most popular New Orleans jazz bands during the first decade of the 20th century. It was the one-time home to such greats as King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. Ory moved to Los Angeles in 1919 and quickly became the premier New Orleans jazz band there. It was in Los Angeles that he began making records. He moved to Chicago during the mid ’20s and retired from the business during the Depression years. He came back in 1944 and for the better part of the next twenty years, he was the top New Orleans jazz band in the country. Ory retired completely in 1966 and passed away on January 23, 1973 at the age of 86.