New Orleans Rhythm Kings

Pioneering Jazz Band of the Early 20th Century

The New Orleans Rhythm Kings (NORK), active in the early 1920s, were one of the most influential jazz bands of their time, contributing significantly to the development of the Chicago style of jazz. The group was composed of white musicians who were heavily influenced by the black jazz artists in New Orleans. They were known for their tight ensemble playing and for being one of the first bands to make racially integrated recordings when they recorded with pianist Jelly Roll Morton in 1923. These sessions produced groundbreaking records that included "Milenberg Joys," "Mr. Jelly Lord," and "Sobbin' Blues," among others. The band's lineup included notable musicians such as cornetist Paul Mares, trombonist George Brunies, and clarinetist Leon Roppolo. Although their time together was relatively short-lived, with the band dissolving in the mid-1920s, their influence on jazz music was profound and lasting.