In addition to performing on banjo, Emile “Stalebread” Lacoume (1885-1946) sang and performed on the zither, guitar, and piano. He was the bandleader of Storyville’s Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band, which is often cited as the first jazz band. He performed at lakefront resorts, with the Halfway House Orchestra, and at the Lavida Ballroom with the Charlie Fishbein Orchestra. (See Al Rose and Edmond Souchon, New Orleans Jazz: A Family Album, p. 69)
“is often cited as the first jazz band” The band that’s often cited as the first jazz band is Buddy Bolden’s.
Joseph – both bands would be more accurately cited as being “two of of the earliest known bands in New Orleans playing music that would later be labeled Jazz.”
Remember that the word “jazz” was not used to describe music until the first or second decade of the 20th century (the current research I have unearthed puts the first use of jazz as an adjective of music between 1906-1915.)
We have many of the New Orlean’s musicians born between approx. 18901905 on record ( The Hogan Archive at Tulane) stating as such: that the term “jazz” was neither heard nor used in N.O. until sometime after having been first used (according to them) in Chicago circa 1917.
If you love jazz music then you’ll love my new jazz documentary films JazzTown & Who Killed Jazz. Links to both films are found on my website https://www.benmakinen.com
Cheers!