Bert Niosi

Niosi was born on February 10, 1909, in London, Ontario.^[1] "As a teenager he briefly played clarinet with Guy Lombardo in Cleveland."^[1] Niosi had two brothers who also became musicians: Joe and Johnnie.^[1]

Niosi was proficient on several instruments: clarinet, flute, saxophone, trombone, and trumpet.^[2] He formed a dance band in 1931.^[1] This began a long association with the Palais Royale dance hall in Toronto, which lasted until 1950.^[1] Here, he earned the nickname 'Canada's King of Swing'.^[1] His orchestra, and a smaller group made up of some of its members, was broadcast frequently on CBC Radio.^[1] Niosi played alto saxophone and clarinet in the small band.^[1] He was also a member of CBC radio's The Happy Gang musical series from 1952 to 1959.^[1] He died in Toronto on August 3, 1987.^[1]