Died On This Date (January 23, 1973) Kid Ory / New Orleans Jazz Pioneer
themusicsover 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.
What You Should Own
Thomas A. Dorsey was a ’20s era singer, musician and composer who has been called the “Father of Gospel.” Dorsey’s career began in jazz during the early ’20s, a time when he formed the backing band for 
Earl Wild was arguably the greatest jazz and classical pianists of his generation. Wild was just a child when he began learning from masters of the instrument, and by 1939, he was working at NBC. It was that year, that he became the first pianist to play on live television. He has also been credited for being the first to play live over the internet – the year was 1997. Following his time in the US Navy Band during WWII, Wild went to work for ABC Television as the staff pianist and composer. He also conducted master glasses all over the world. On January 23, 2010, Earl Wild died of congestive heart failure. He was 94.
