Albert Nicholas: The Jazz Virtuoso
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Albert Nicholas, born on May 27, 1900, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was an American jazz clarinet player. His primary instrument was the clarinet, which he studied with Lorenzo Tio in his hometown of New Orleans. Late in the 1910s, he played with Buddy Petit, King Oliver, and Manuel Perez. He spent three years in the Merchant Marines and then joined Oliver in Chicago from 1925 to 1927.
Career and Musical Innovations
After time in East Asia and Egypt, Nicholas returned to New York City in 1928 and played with Luis Russell until 1933, 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. The Dixieland jazz revival of the late 1940s reinvigorated his career; he played with Art Hodes, Bunk Johnson, and Kid Ory, and had a regular gig with Ralph Sutton in 1948.
Recordings and Performances
In 1953, Nicholas moved to France; except for recording sessions in the U.S. in 1959-60, he remained there for most of the rest of his life. Some of his notable albums include “Albert Nicholas & Mezz Mezzrow”, “The Scobey Story Vol. 1”, “Albert Nicholas with Art Hodes’ All-Star Stompers”, “Albert’s Blues”, “Barney Bigard/Albert Nicholas”, “A Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton”, “Albert Nicholas and The Traditional Jazz Studio”, “Albert Nicholas with Alan Elsdon’s Band Vol. 1”, and “Albert Nicholas with Alan Elsdon’s Band Vol. 2”.
Contributions to Jazz
Nicholas’s contributions to jazz go beyond his performances and recordings. He was a pioneer in fusing classical music with jazz and incorporating Latin American rhythms into his music. This innovative approach to music had a significant impact on the American jazz scene and influenced many musicians who came after him.
Nicholas passed away on September 3, 1973, in Basel, Switzerland.
- “Albert Nicholas-Mezz Mezzrow”– This album showcases Nicholas’s unique approach to jazz, combining classical music with jazz and Latin American rhythms.
- “Live in Copenhagen: September 5 1954”– This live recording captures the energy and spontaneity of Nicholas’s performances.
- “All-Star Stompers”– This album features collaborations with other musicians and showcases Nicholas’s ability to create captivating jazz compositions.
- “With Alan Elsdon’s Band, Vol. 1”– This album features Nicholas’s work with Alan Elsdon’s Band, providing a glimpse into his musical genius.
- “With Alan Elsdon’s Band, Vol. 2”– This is the second volume of Nicholas’s work with Alan Elsdon’s Band, further showcasing his unique musical style.
- “A Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton”– This album is a tribute to Jelly Roll Morton, one of the pioneers of jazz music.
- “Kornhaus Theater, Baden 1969”– This recording from 1969 showcases Nicholas’s incorporation of Latin American rhythms into his music.
- “3CD (Paques-Pentecote-Ascension-Viergemarie)”– This three-disc set provides a comprehensive overview of Nicholas’s musical journey.
- “Clarinet Duets with Trio & Jazztet”– This album showcases Nicholas’s versatility as a musician, featuring him in duets with a trio and a jazztet.
- “Albert Nicholas and Mezz Mezzrow”– This album, released in 1956, showcases Nicholas’s unique fusion of classical music with jazz.
