The Legend of 1900

The Legend of 1900 is a hauntingly beautiful tale of a man who was born, lived, and died entirely aboard an ocean liner. At the turn of the 20th century, a newborn baby is discovered abandoned on the luxurious ship SS Virginian. The ship’s machinist adopts the child and names him 1900. As the boy grows up, he shows an extraordinary gift for music — playing the piano with a genius and soul that astonishes all who hear him. Though the world changes around him and the ship carries countless stories across the Atlantic, 1900 never sets foot on land. His piano becomes his universe, and the ship his entire world. Fame finds him when his legendary improvisations attract the attention of recording companies and rival pianists — including a dramatic showdown with real-life jazz legend Jelly Roll Morton. Yet, when the time comes to choose between the vast, chaotic world of land and the familiar rhythm of the ocean, 1900 makes a poetic and heart-wrenching decision that defines his identity. Told through the memories of his friend, trumpeter Max Tooney, The Legend of 1900 is a lyrical meditation on genius, isolation, and the soul’s refusal to compromise in a world too vast for some hearts to bear.