If Someone Would Only Love Me
By Jelly Roll Morton
I. Boogaboo
Wright with Tharp, Rudner
II. Shreveport Stomp
Rudner, Wright
III. Mournful Serenade
Rudner
IV. Black Bottom Stomp
Rudner, Tharp, Wright
V. Smoke House Blues
Rudner, Tharp, Cohn, Curry, Garcia Lorca, Wright
VI. Strokin’ Away
Tharp and Rudner, Cohn, Curry, Garcia Lorca, Wright
VII. Blue Blood Blues
Wright and Rudner, Tharp, Cohn, Curry, Garcia Lorca
VIII. If Someone Would Love Me
Rudner, Tharp, Cohn, Curry, Garcia Lorca, Wright
Naomi Cohn, Mary Curry, Isabel Garcia-Lorca, Sara Rudner, Twyla Tharp, Rose Marie Wright
Eight Jelly Rolls is Tharp's first work intended for a proscenium stage. Jelly Roll Morton’s original recordings recall the atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties as America shook it self loose of stiff European traditions. The comedic timing and slippery flow of movement in the choreography reflects the sense of ease and freedom of the 1920s. Tharp's solo, nicknamed "The Drunk," emphasizes the natural loose-limbed athleticism that became synonymous with her work.
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Cast in a promotional photo costumed in the final design, 1974.
<p>©Tony Russell</p> -
The original cast of in the premiere performance.
<p>©Milton Oleaga</p> -
Rudner in the penultimate costume design.
<p>©Costas</p>
Tharp and dancers in an early performance.
1. Boogaboo
By Jelly Roll Morton – 1928
2. Shreveport Stomp
By Jelly Roll Morton
Recorded by Gennet Records – 1924
3. Mournful Serenade
By Jelly Roll Morton – 1928
4. Black Bottom Stomp
By Jelly Roll Morton
Recorded by Viktor Records – 1926
5. Smoke House Blues
By Charles Luke
Arranged by Jelly Roll Morton – 1926
6. Strokin’ Away
By Jelly Roll Morton
Recorded by Viktor Records – 1930
7. Blue Blood Blues
By Jelly Roll Morton – 1928
8. If Someone Would Only Love Me
By Jelly Roll Morton
Recorded by Viktor Records – 1930
If Someone Would Only Love Me
By Jelly Roll Morton