Netflix Greenlights Explosive Jelly Roll Morton Biopic — The Untold Story of a Jazz Pioneer

Netflix to Illuminate the Forgotten Genius of Jazz: Jelly Roll Morton Documentary Set for Theatrical Release This August”

In a move that is sure to captivate music historians, jazz aficionados, and new listeners alike, Netflix has announced the production of a major documentary spotlighting the life and legacy of Jelly Roll Morton, one of the most important — yet often overlooked — pioneers in American music history. The film is currently in production and is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on August 30th, signaling a bold step by the streaming giant into theatrical territory for historical music storytelling.

Jelly Roll Morton, born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe in New Orleans in the late 19th century, is widely regarded as the first true composer and arranger of jazz music. His innovations in fusing ragtime with blues and improvisational flair laid the groundwork for what would become America’s defining musical genre. His genius has earned him posthumous induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a testament to the breadth of his influence — not just in jazz, but across all modern popular music.

Yet for all his contributions, Morton’s legacy has often been relegated to the dusty footnotes of music textbooks. Netflix’s upcoming documentary seeks to correct this historical oversight, reintroducing Morton to the world with all the drama, complexity, and brilliance his story deserves.

Sources close to the production reveal that the documentary will be a cinematic deep dive into Morton’s meteoric rise and tragic fall. Through rare archival recordings, remastered piano rolls, dramatized reenactments, and expert interviews, the film will trace Morton’s early years playing in brothels and saloons of Storyville, his peak as a celebrated composer in Chicago and New York, and his eventual decline as jazz evolved and the industry changed.

Netflix is reportedly working with top-tier musical consultants and jazz historians to ensure the authenticity and emotional weight of the film. The documentary will also feature modern-day musicians — some of whom credit Morton as a foundational influence — performing reimagined versions of his classics, such as “King Porter Stomp” and “The Pearls.” The fusion of old and new is expected to draw in both older jazz lovers and a new generation of viewers who may have never heard Morton’s name.

Beyond music, the documentary won’t shy away from the societal and racial challenges Morton faced during his career. As a Creole Black man in early 20th-century America, Morton’s struggle for recognition — and his insistence on being credited for inventing jazz — often placed him at odds with an industry reluctant to acknowledge the achievements of Black artists.

“In many ways, Jelly Roll Morton was both a musical genius and a tragic figure,” said an anonymous Netflix insider. “He wanted the world to recognize what he gave to it. This documentary is our attempt to finally give him that recognition — loud and clear.”

The announcement of the project has already sent ripples across the entertainment and music worlds. Anticipation is high, and industry experts suggest the film could be one of the most talked-about musical documentaries of the year, possibly earning Netflix further accolades in the awards circuit following their recent success with other music-based docu-series.

As production continues and casting wraps up by the end of July, audiences can expect a visually stunning, emotionally gripping, and historically rich cinematic experience that not only honors Morton’s legacy but reminds us that the roots of American music run deeper — and more soulfully — than we often remember.