Jazz royalty

Jazz royalty is a term that reflects the many great jazz musicians who have some sort of royal title in their names or nicknames.

National jazz kings

Oliver was known as "King Oliver" in Chicago, and still regarded as the jazz king as late as 1925, when Louis Armstrong returned to Chicago from New York City. Armstrong's great respect and affection for Oliver was probably a factor in never claiming Oliver's kingship, although at the urging of his wife Lil Hardin Armstrong Louis Armstrong was billed as the "world's greatest jazz trumpeter", rendering Oliver's title more ceremonial than a claim of supremacy.

Related Topics:
1925 - New York City - Lil Hardin Armstrong

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Meanwhile in New York City, Paul Whiteman billed himself as the "King of Jazz". His nationally popular band with many hit records arguably played more jazz-influenced pop music than jazz per se, but to the dismay of many later jazz fans Whiteman was widely known as "King of Jazz" in the 1920s and early 1930s and a motion picture The King of Jazz starring Whiteman and his band appeared in 1930.

Related Topics:
Paul Whiteman - 1920s - 1930s - Motion picture - The King of Jazz - 1930

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Jelly Roll Morton was one of many annoyed by Whiteman's claim and had enough bravado to challenge it. In 1924 he billed his band as "the Kings of Jazz", but the title never caught on.

Related Topics:
Jelly Roll Morton - 1924

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The New Orleans Rhythm Kings were popular in Chicago.

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