Bolden

In the vibrant jazz scene of early 20th century New Orleans, Charles "Buddy" Bolden (King Bolden) reigned supreme, captivating audiences with his bold and innovative music. His eponymous band was a hot commodity from approximately 1900 to 1907, when the enigmatic musician's career was tragically cut short by the onset of schizophrenia (then known as dementia praecox). Despite his remarkable talent, Bolden left behind no surviving recorded legacy, leaving only whispers and rumors about his legendary live performances.

Oral traditions have attempted to fill in the gaps of Bolden's life story, but the truth remains shrouded in myth and legend. Persistent myths about his occupation as a barber or the publication of a scandalous newspaper called The Cricket have persisted despite being thoroughly debunked decades ago.

In 1907, at the age of 30, Bolden experienced a devastating episode of acute alcoholic psychosis, marking the beginning of his descent into mental illness. He was subsequently institutionalized and spent the remainder of his life under care.

After his passing, Bolden's remains were laid to rest in Holt Cemetery, a pauper's graveyard in New Orleans, without so much as a marker to commemorate his existence. It wasn't until 1998 that a monument dedicated to this jazz legend was erected in the same cemetery, but sadly, the exact location of his final resting place remained a mystery, forever lost amidst the swirling jazz notes and vibrant culture of the city he helped shape.