Albert Nicholas
American jazz clarinet player (1900–1973)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Albert Nicholas (May 27, 1900 – September 3, 1973)[1] was an American jazz clarinet player, who was mostly based in Europe after 1953.
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Albert Nicholas | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | May 27, 1900 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | September 3, 1973 (aged 73) Basel, Switzerland |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Clarinet |
| Years active | 1910s–1973 |
Career
Nicholas's primary instrument was the clarinet, which he studied with Lorenzo Tio in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.[1] Late in the 1910s, he played with Buddy Petit, King Oliver, and Manuel Perez.[1] He spent three years in the Merchant Marines and then joined Oliver in Chicago from 1925 to 1927.[1] After time in East Asia and Egypt, Nicholas returned to New York City in 1928 and played with Luis Russell until 1933,[1] playing there with Red Allen, Charlie Holmes, and J. C. Higginbotham. Later he played with Chick Webb, Louis Armstrong (with Russell) and Jelly Roll Morton.[1]
The Dixieland jazz revival of the late 1940s reinvigorated his career; he played with Art Hodes, Bunk Johnson, and Kid Ory,[1] and had a regular gig with Ralph Sutton in 1948.
In 1953, Nicholas moved to Paris, France;[2] except for recording sessions in the U.S. in 1959–60, he remained in Europe for most of the rest of his life.[1]
Nicholas died in Basel, Switzerland, in September 1973, at the age of 73.
Discography
- Albert Nicholas & Mezz Mezzrow (Jazztone, 1956)
- The Scobey Story Vol. 1 (Good Time Jazz, 1959)
- Albert Nicholas with Art Hodes' All-Star Stompers (Delmark, 1964)
- Albert's Blues (77 Records, 1966)
- Barney Bigard/Albert Nicholas (RCA, 1969)
- A Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton (Storyville, 1972)
- Albert Nicholas and The Traditional Jazz Studio (Supraphon, 1972)
- Albert Nicholas with Alan Elsdon's Band Vol. 1 (Jazzology, 1995)
- Albert Nicholas with Alan Elsdon's Band Vol. 2 (Jazzology, 1996)
- Story 1926–1947 (EPM, 1998)
- New Orleans Clarinet (Sanctuary, 2006)
- Albert Nicholas & Herb Hall (GHB, 2015)
- Albert Nicholas In Europe (Upbeat URCD284)
- As It Is When It Was (2020)
