Dominic "Nick" LaRocca

Public Domain

Quick Facts

Significance:

Early Jazz Band Leader

Place of Birth:

New Orleans, Louisiana

Date of Birth:

April 11, 1889

Place of Death:

New Orleans, Louisiana

Date of Death:

February 22, 1961

Place of Burial:

New Orleans, Louisiana

Cemetery Name:

Greenwood Cemetery

Dominic LaRocca ultimately became leader of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band (ODJB). Initially named Stein’s Dixie Band, LaRocca apparently wrestled leadership of the group from drummer Johnny Stein, and after a couple of personnel changes, he led the band into the New York studios of Columbia and Victor records successively in early 1917. Under their new name, the ODJB recorded the first commercially issued jazz recordings ever made. Credited as the composer or co-composer of many jazz repertory standards of the early period, LaRocca purveyed the ensemble’s self-appointed identity as the inventors of jazz. This was especially true after he regrouped for an abortive comeback attempt in the late-1930’s.

The ODJB disbanded in the mid-1920’s following persistent personality clashes within its membership. LaRocca despaired of the prospect for a meaningful comeback after a few years of trying a decade later, and retired once again in 1938 to become a building contractor.