- Born
- Died
- Birth nameErnest Loring Nichols
- Red Nichols was born on May 8, 1905 in Ogden, Utah, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Sweet and Lowdown (1999), Bullets Over Broadway (1994) and The Five Pennies (1959). He was married to Willa Stutsman. He died on June 28, 1965 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
- SpouseWilla Stutsman(? - June 28, 1965) (his death, 1 child)
- Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1986.
- Taught by his father, he started playing bugle at four, cornet at twelve. He was featured in his father's brass band before enrolling at Culver Military Academy on a scholarship in 1919.
- Was much influenced by Bix Beiderbeck.
- Nichols was best known as leader of 'The Five Pennies', which, despite the name, usually featured at least eight instruments. His sidemen included some of the best white jazz musicians of the 20's and 30's, including Joe Venuti, Miff Mole, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey, Jack Teagarden, Gene Krupa and Glenn Miller.
- Was one of the busiest recording artists of his time, literally recording hundreds of tracks for Brunswick, Okeh, Decca, Vocalion, Capitol, Bluebird and Victor.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content