Albert Nicholas

Albert Nicholas (May 27, 1900 – September 3, 1973) was an American jazz clarinet player. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he studied clarinet with Lorenzo Tio and began his career playing with notable musicians such as Buddy Petit, King Oliver, and Manuel Perez. Nicholas spent time in the Merchant Marines before joining King Oliver in Chicago. He then travelled to East Asia and Egypt, eventually returning to New York City where he played with Luis Russell. He later performed with Chick Webb, Louis Armstrong, and Jelly Roll Morton. In the late 1940s, Nicholas experienced a career revival during the Dixieland jazz revival. He played with Art Hodes, Bunk Johnson, and Kid Ory, and later moved to France in 1953. He remained in France for most of his life, with a few recording sessions in the U.S. in 1959-60. Albert Nicholas passed away in 1973.