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Mama Nita

Jelly Roll Morton

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This recording was produced in Richmond, Indiana on June 9th 1924 featuring Jelly Roll Morton.

*"Mama Nita" or ("Mamanita") was composed by Ferdinand 'Jelly Roll' Morton.

The inspiration for this beautiful Spanish tinge piano number was derived from Ferd Morton's common law wife a light skinned creole named Anita Gonzalez. Known as Juanita (for whatever reason) she operated a hotel in Los Angeles with his occasional "assistance". Not exactly, as a hustler and jazz musician Jelly who considered himself to be far above the toils of manual labor actually hired help to clean and maintain the establishment. Anita would remain a big part of Morton's life for many years after he settled in Chicago. She was the love of his life and yet although he claimed to have married her in 1909 no records of their union have ever been found. -Matt Chauvin

(Anita Gonzales was actually an assumed name intended to perpetuate the illusion that she was Mexican, rather than African-American. Her real name was Bessie Johnson and her brothers were jazz musicians, bassist Bill and drummer Dink Johnson.)