Biography
Albert Nicholas (May 27, 1900 – September 3, 1973) was a distinguished American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist, born in the Creole section of New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his musical journey studying clarinet under the renowned Lorenzo Tio, Jr., a foundational figure in early jazz clarinet technique. By his late teens, Nicholas was performing with New Orleans jazz legends such as Buddy Petit, King Oliver, and Manuel Perez, and he led his own band at Tom Anderson’s Annex in 1922.
After serving three years in the Merchant Marines, Nicholas joined King Oliver’s band in Chicago from 1925 to 1927, recording with the Dixie Syncopators. He then spent time in East Asia and Egypt before settling in New York City in 1928, where he became a key soloist with Luis Russell’s orchestra until 1933. Nicholas’s career included collaborations with major jazz figures such as Chick Webb, Louis Armstrong, and Jelly Roll Morton, with whom he recorded during two separate periods. The Dixieland jazz revival of the late 1940s revitalized his career, leading to work with Bunk Johnson, Kid Ory, Art Hodes, and Ralph Sutton.
In 1953, Nicholas moved permanently to France, where he remained a sought-after performer and recording artist for the rest of his life, only returning to the United States for occasional recording sessions. His playing was celebrated for its warm, mellow tone and expressive phrasing, making him an instantly recognizable soloist and a significant figure in the preservation and evolution of traditional New Orleans jazz.
Fun Facts
- Nicholas led his own band at Tom Anderson’s Annex in New Orleans as early as 1922, while still in his early twenties.
- He spent a year performing in East Asia and Egypt before establishing himself in New York's jazz scene.
- Despite his long career, Nicholas did not lead his first recording session until 1947.
- He was a mainstay of the European jazz scene after moving to France in 1953, rarely returning to the U.S. except for recording sessions.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Lorenzo Tio, Jr. - Primary clarinet teacher and major stylistic influence during Nicholas's formative years in New Orleans. (Clarinet technique and early jazz repertoire) [1910s]
Key Collaborators
- King Oliver - Band leader; Nicholas played and recorded with Oliver's Dixie Syncopators in Chicago. (Dixie Syncopators recordings) [1925-1927]
- Luis Russell - Band leader; Nicholas was a key soloist in Russell's orchestra. (Luis Russell Orchestra recordings) [1928-1933]
- Louis Armstrong - Worked together when Russell's band backed Armstrong. (Recordings and performances with Armstrong and Russell) [1930s]
- Jelly Roll Morton - Collaborator; recorded together in two periods. (Recordings in 1929-30 and 1939-40) [1929-1930, 1939-1940]
- Bunk Johnson - Collaborator during the Dixieland revival. (Performances and recordings) [1940s]
- Kid Ory - Collaborator during the Dixieland revival. (Performances and recordings) [1940s]
- Art Hodes - Frequent collaborator, especially during the late 1940s and on the album 'Albert's Back In Town.' (Albert's Back In Town (1959), other sessions) [1940s-1950s]
- Ralph Sutton - Regular gig and recordings during the late 1940s. (Live performances, recordings) [1948]
Artists Influenced
- Barry Martyn - British drummer who performed and recorded with Nicholas in Europe, influenced by his New Orleans style. (Albert's Blues & the 44 Gerrard St. Session) [1960s]
- European traditional jazz musicians - Inspired a generation of European jazz artists after relocating to France. (Various European jazz recordings and performances) [1953-1973]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings | 2011-05-03 | Album |
| Baden 1969 | 1999-11-12 | Album |
| Clarinet Duets with the John Defferary Jazztet & The Trevor Richards New Orleans Trio | 2015-03-09 | Album |
| Rare Cuts: Well Done, Vol. 8 | 2004-12-12 | Album |
| Albert Nicholas with Alan Elsdon's Band, Vol. 1 | 1995 | Album |
| Albert's Blues & the 44 Gerard Street Session | 2021-09-10 | Album |
| Great Jazz Great Clarinets (Live) | 2023-03-31 | Album |
| Albert's Blues & the 44 Gerard Street Session | 2021-09-10 | Album |
| As It Is When It Was | 2020-08-28 | Album |
| Albert Nicholas in Europe (Live) | 2018-08-09 | Album |
| The Ragtime Dixieland Playlist, Vol. 2 (25 Old Remastered Jazz Music Classics) | 2014-06-13 | Album |
| The Clarinet Man | 2013-12-05 | Album |
| Chris Barber & The Clarinet Kings | 2012-10-01 | Album |
| Memories Of My Trip | 2012-05-15 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Bechet's Fantasy
- Blame It On The Blues - Alternate Take
- Old Stack O'Lee Blues
- Blame It On The Blues - Alternate Take (Jazz Classics)
- Old Stack O'Lee Blues (Jazz Classics)
- Saratoga Drag (The Luis Russell Story)
- Ain't Misbehavin' - Live (Baden 1969)
- The New Call Of The Freaks (The Luis Russell Story)
- C Jam Blues - Live (Baden 1969)
- Lover Come Back (Albert Nicholas with Alan Elsdon's Band, Vol. 1)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Albert Nicholas has been played 4 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2025 | 10:05 | That`s A Plentyfrom Albert`s Back In Town | Traditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police | |
| Oct 24, 2025 | 09:43 | That`s A Plentyfrom Albert`s Back In Town | Traditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police | |
| Oct 24, 2025 | 09:22 | Please Don`t Talk About Me Whenfrom Kornhaus Theater, Baden 1969 | Traditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police | |
| Sep 16, 2025 | 10:45 | Lulu`s Back In Townfrom Albert`s Back In Town | Traditional Jazzw/ Leslie Cooper |