Original New Orleans Rhythm Kings

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The New Orleans Rhythm Kings (nicknamed NORK) were one of the most influential jazz bands of the early-to-mid 1920s. The band was a combination of New Orleans and Chicago musicians who helped shape Chicago Jazz and influenced many younger jazz musicians. In 1919, New Orleans-born cornetist Paul Mares travelled to Chicago and played with, among other performers, childhood friend and trombonist George Brunies. The pair got a job performing on a Mississippi riverboat, the S.S. Capitol. It was there that they were reunited with clarinetist Leon Roppolo, another childhood friend from New Orleans. The trio soon recruited pianist Elmer Schobel, drummer Frank Snyder, bassist Alfred Loyacano, and banjoist Lou Black and in 1922, began a 17-month engagement at the Friar's Inn in Chicago. The group adopted the name of the club for their own name—The Friar's Society Orchestra—but changed it to New Orleans Rhythm Kings, which had been the name of Roppolo's former band when he travelled with vaudeville artist Bee Palmer.[1][2] While at the Friar's Inn, the group attracted the interest not only of fans, but of other musicians. Cornetist Bix Beiderbecke, who had been sent to school in Chicago by his parents in the hopes of removing any jazz influences, regularly attended New Orleans Rhythm Kings shows. He was often allowed to perform with the band.[3] The group recorded a series of records for Gennett Records in 1922 and 1923. On two of these sessions, they were joined by pianist and compose

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