Wooden Joe Nicholas

Wooden Joe Nicholas was one of the more primitive trumpeters to record in New Orleans. He was perhaps most notable in his early days for his very loud volume and for his endurance, important assets for brassmen at parades. By the time Nicholas (the uncle of clarinetist Albert Nicholas) got on records, he gave the impression of being much older than he actually was, and he was clearly past his prime. Early on he played clarinet and throughout his career he occasionally doubled on that instrument. Nicholas was quite familiar with Buddy Bolden, although he did not switch to cornet until he played with King Oliver in 1915. He considered Bolden and Bunk Johnson to be his main influences, and played in a countless number of parade and street bands through the years. Nicholas, who spent virtually his entire life in New Orleans, formed the Carmelia Band in 1918. Nicholas recorded as a leader in 1945 and 1949 (performances on the American Music, Storyville, Dan, and Wolf labels) in addition to appearing on a Raymond Burke set in 1949. He may have been only 66 at the time (and 62 at the time of his recording debut), but Nicholas (who by then was very erratic) could have passed for 80. His playing talents are therefore legendary rather than something that can be readily discerned from his recordings.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo