Original Dixieland Jass Band itself as the Creators of Jazz. It was the first band to record jazz commercially and to have hit recordings in the genre. Band leader and cornetist Nick LaRocca argued that ODJB deserved recognition as the first band to record jazz commercially and the first band to establish jazz as a musical idiom or genre. In early 1916 a promoter from Chicago approached clarinetist Alcide Nunez and drummer Johnny Stein about bringing a New Orleans-style band to Chicago, where the similar Brown's Band From Dixieland, led by trombonist Tom Brown, was enjoying success. They then assembled trombonist Eddie Edwards, pianist
The Belgrade Dixieland Orchestra Matijaca, was the founder of the Belgrade Dixieland Orchestra and its first art director. He was greatly appreciated for his precise style directions and definition of the musical expression of the Orchestra. In addition, Ivan Svager, the saxophone player, arranger and composer contributed immeasurably to the formation and development of the band’s unique and recognizable sound. His arrangements still provide the framework for most of the compositions performed by the Orchestra. In 2005 the Orchestra initiated the jazz festival named ""The Jazz Birthday"" which is still traditionally organized on February 26. On this day in 1917, the first gramophone record