Louis Nelson

Although a hero to many followers of the New Orleans revival movement, Louis Nelson was an erratic trombonist, capable of playing with great warmth and then slipping way out of tune during his next chorus! To his fans he could do no wrong while detractors saw little value in his playing. The truth naturally lies somewhere in between. Nelson started playing music on the alto horn before permanently switching to trombone. He was active in the New Orleans jazz scene of the 1920's, working with Kid Rena, the Original Tuxedo Orchestra and for 15 years with Sidney Desvigne's big band. He was closely associated with Kid Thomas Valentine (starting in 1944), George Lewis and the many musicians in the 1960's who played at Preservation Hall. Louis Nelson toured and recorded with the Legends of Jazz and made records as a leader for G.H.B. (starting in 1964), 504, 77, LaCroix, Nola and other small labels.