Jimmie Noone (April 23, 1895 – April 19, 1944) is considered one of the best clarinetists of the Twenties. His style differs from the other two great New Orleans clarinet players, Johnny Dodds and Sidney Bechet because of his smoother, more romantic tone.

Noone’s style was a major influence on the Swing music of the Thirties and Forties. Growing up in New Orleans Jimmie took clarinet lessons from Lorenzo Tio Jr. and Sidney Bechet (Bechet was 13 years old at the time). Noone went on to play with Freddie Keppard in the Olympia Band.

In 1917 he followed Freddie to Chicago to join Keppard’s Original Creole Orchestra. After it broke up the following year he became a member of King Oliver’s band. In 1920 he joined Doc Cook‘s Dreamland Orchestra and played with that band for the next six years.

In 1927 Jimmie started leading a band at the Apex Club in Chicago. In 1928 he was joined by pianist Earl Hines and recorded for Vocalion. Noone worked steadily in Chicago throughout the Thirties. A young Joe Williams was in Noone’s band in the late Thirties, but they never recorded together. Noone played with Kid Ory’s band in California in the Forties when he suddenly died of a heart attack.

Also see: Jimmie Noone: Profiles in Jazz

Jimmie Noone’s Apex Club Orchestra	Jimmie Noone and his Orchestra
Jimmie Noone Trio	Jimmie’s Blue Melody Boys