User:Jnsingleton/James "Jimmy" Palao

Jimmy “Jimmy Palao (1879-1928) was Leader of the Original Creole Orchestra the first to travel to over to 75 cities in the United States  and spear Jazz and gain national prominence.

In 1908 The original Creole Band was founded by Bill Johnson as Manager and Jimmy Palao as Leader. James “Jimmy” Palao, led the Original Creole Orchestra into 75 cities introducing America’s most valid art form of music… Jazz, to the West and the East and the North. Jimmy Palao would take each of the band member’s strongest tunes and allow them to “star” and improvise. What tremendous Sounds! This is what made Jazz... Jazz. The crowds went wild during and after solos Under his leadership this orchestra was the first to … spread the sounds of Jazz throughout the United States as they gained national prominence. The Original Creole Jazz Band was perhaps the greatest organization in Jazz history until they disbanded in 1918

Jimmy first played and led the Johnson Band in 1895 He then joined the  Pacific Brass Band 1897. During this time In 1897 Jimmy Palao went to the country side and taught many how to play he also taught Buddy Bolden how to read music and play the cornet. Buddy rehearsed and played 24-7. Jimmy played and led the Johnson Band in 1895, he then played with the Henry Allen Sr. Brass Band around 1899 Jimmie Palao established his own band in 1900.

Jimmie Palao joined Buddy Bolden’s band in 1903. The students now teaches the teacher. Jimmy learned the style of improvisation from Buddy Bolden. It was around this time that Jimmie Palao first coined the music as Jaz. Buddy Bolden took ill and never played again. Jimmie took leadership of the Imperial Orchestra and  this style of music got the audience off their feet. Jimmy Palao never forgot Buddy and carried this style of music to national fame. The first physical and earliest evidence of the term “Jaz” is found on Jimmy Palao’s 1908 business card.

Jimmie Palao was multi talented, he not only played the violin, he played the saxophone, the alto, the mellophone.58 [WR Collection] and the banjo, and he mastered them all. Jimmy Palao was always in demand and as he went on to rise… he played with Lawrence Duhe Band [1918-1919] King Joe Oliver Band [1919-1921] John Wickliffe’s –Ginger Band [1922] Syncopated Gingersnaps [1923] and the Dave and Tessie Band [1924-1928]. He passed in 1928.