Prologue “Jelly’s Last Jam”

And it came to pass that a people were born
Then torn from the land that was their home
The story of their pain was set forth in music
Destined to conquer, take the world by storm

And so
Messengers were called to spread its glory
Go forth Armstrong
Go forth Ellington
Go forth Basie, Bolden, and Bechet

And it came to pass
That a messenger was called
Who came to believe that the message
Was him

Yes
He of diamond tooth and flashy thrеads
He who drinks from the Vine of Syncopation
But dеnies the black soil from which is this rhythm was born
Denies the black soil from which this rhythm was born