Ferdinand Lamothe, self-proclaimed inventor of jazz, celebrated pianist and band-leader from New Orleans lived the most extraordinary rollercoaster of a life. Feted and neglected, celebrated and scorned, loved and despised, he lived on the edge of the edgy world that characterised life in early 20th century America.

This is his story, narrated by three actors Patrick Robinson (as Jelly Roll Morton), Emily Swain (as Anita Gonzales) and Richard Laing (as Alan Lomax), to the music of Jelly Roll, performed by a seven-piece band featuring Big House with guests Lana-May Hodge, Don Manson, Mark Swindall and Gabriel Garrick.