Songwriters Hall of Fame

The historic Original Dixieland Jazz Band was the first jazz group to be commercially recorded and the first to make jazz nationally popular.

Established in 1916, the original lineup consisted of Nick LaRocca (cornet), Larry Shields (clarinet), Eddie Edwards (trombone), Harry Ragas (piano), and Tony Sbarbaro (drums).

From 1917-1936, the band recorded 52 ‘78s including the top ten hits “Livery Stable Blues” (#4, 1917), “Darktown Strutters’ Ball” (#2, 1917), “Indiana” (#8, 1917), “At the Jazz Band Ball” (#8, 1918), ‘Tiger Rag’ (#1, 1918), “Palesteena” (#3, 1921), “Margie” (#9, 1921), “Home Again Blues” (#2, 1921), “St. Louis Blues” (#3, 1921), “Jazz Me Blues” (#9, 1921), “Royal Garden Blues” (#3, 1921), “Bow Wow Blues (My Mama Treats Me Like a Dog” (#9, 1922), and “Some of These Days” (#5, 1923).