Calvary Cemetery and Mortuary — Attraction in East Los Angeles

Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe (October 20, 1890 – July 10, 1941), known professionally as "Jelly Roll Morton", was an American ragtime and early jazz pianist, bandleader and composer who started his career in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Widely recognized as a pivotal figure in early jazz, Morton was jazz's first arranger, proving that a genre rooted in improvisation could retain its essential spirit and characteristics when notated. His composition "Jelly Roll Blues", published in 1915, was the first published jazz composition. Morton also wrote the standards "King Porter Stomp", "Wolverine Blues", "Black Bottom Stomp", and "I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say", the last a tribute to New Orleans musicians from the turn of the 20th century.

Morton's claim to have invented jazz in 1902 aroused resentment. The jazz historian, musician, and composer Gunther Schuller says of Morton's "hyperbolic assertions" that there is "no proof to the contrary" and that Morton's "considerable accomplishments in themselves provide reasonable substantiation". Alan Lomax, who recorded extensive biographical interviews of Morton at the Library of Congress in 1938, did not agree that Morton was an egotist:

In being called a supreme egotist, Jelly Roll was often a victim of loose and lurid reporting. If we read the words that he himself wrote, we learn that he almost had an inferiority complex and said that he created his own style of jazz piano because "All my fellow musicians were much faster in manipulations, I thought than I, and I did not feel as though I was in their class." So he used a slower tempo to permit flexibility through the use of more notes, a pinch of Spanish to give a number of right seasoning, the avoidance of playing triple forte continuously, and many other points". --Quoted in John...

Unfortunately my grandfather, Ventura Reynoso passed on June 5th, 2020 at home. My grandparents had chosen Calvary as their resting place many years ago. My grandma is resting there as of 2/27/2012. I want to share my experience in the last 11 days prior to my grandfather's service and day of. My first contact when calling was with Anna Olvera she is absolutely wonderful. She showed genuine empathy and was very patience with me. I was in tears. She didn't rush me just listened. She answered every question then if needed to call me back she would. She was so kind to even take time to call me to inform me that they picked up my grandfather and that he arrived at Calvary. Then the funeral planner was Erika Velazquez. She did such an excellent job explaining all options for services. Due to Covid-19 everything done via phone and electronically. These girls answered any questions, returned calls, and emails. Then went into pay in person. A young man named, David came in also providing such unbelievable empathy. David was wonderful when I identified my grandfather day of service. Very respectful to my family and myself. Most of all my Pumpa. I also have to mention Jose who handles website obituaries. I didn't meet or talk to him personally, but he added a picture to the obituary which made it perfect. 5try'xt= Who ever reads these reviews I hope that David, Anna, Erika, and Jose get some sort of recognition for how good they are at their job. Especially on one of hardest times of my life. The hurt I feel is unbearable at times from losing grandparents. The work they do isn't easy_ . Thank you again David, Anna, Erika. My name is Mary Lopes accidently...

I have my grandfather on Hospice care. I called this facility twice last week and spoke with the same representative. I advised her that my grandfather had prepaid his services there with them years ago. I provided his name and all the information I had. I was advised that they did not have any record of his prepaid service nor of my grandmas mortuary service we had with them 14 years ago. I called back twice and was told the same thing. I begged them for their help and was given " I already spoke with you yesterday we don't have your grandfather listed here." Finally I found papers from 17 years ago receipts confirming the prepayment of services arranged in good faith with Calvary and my grandfather. I called Calvary and giving them only my grandfathers name no more than the information I provided them last week I told them " I have documentation confirming prepayment of services when can i set an appointment to bring this documentation to you." They advised they would call me back and the moment they called me back they confirmed that my grandfather did prepay his services. What was different then from when I called last week? I have never felt more shammed. their unwillingness to help and be so cold to a family in their moment of need and in this business is cruel. I hope when my grandfathers time does come and we have the services at Calvary we have a more professional and empathetic experience. I spoke with the director of the facility and as kind as helpful as she was trying to rectify the situation does not undue to stress her staff and facility...