Few early jazz clarinetists have generated as much posthumous controversy among historians as
Arnett Nelson, a quirky sessionman who enlivened many a recording date during the 1920s and '30s. Because of one latter-day enthusiast's willingness to recklessly "identify"
Nelson as the clarinetist on an improbably large quantity and broad stylistic range of early jazz and blues records, every citation continues to be re-examined and reassessed. His verifiable work places
Nelson in league with clarinetists Wilbur Sweatman, Volly DeFaut,
Wilton Crawley,
Johnny Dodds,
Arville Harris,
Jimmy O'Bryant, and
Mezz Mezzrow. His legendary eccentricity is documented on "Chicago Rhythm," a record made in 1936 by the State Street Swingers (better known as the
Harlem Hamfats), during which Leonard Scott is heard to say "what's that you're doing, Arnett? I never heard nobody do that before." Born in Ellisville, MS, about 140 miles northeast of New Orleans on March 3 1892,
Nelson grew up in nearby Laurel, MS and was conscripted for service in the First World War in 1917.
Nelson's first gigs were with a band led by the father of cornetist
Lee Collins, who later described
Nelson as "a great clarinet player" but also as a vaudevillian with "a weird style" who "liked to do tricks with his clarinet. He would take it all apart and play it."
Nelson's earliest recordings were made in Chicago during December 1923 and February 1924 with cornetist
Jimmy Wade's Moulin Rouge Orchestra, a punchy outfit that included violinist
Eddie South and pianist
Teddy Weatherford. While with
Wade,
Nelson composed "Buddy's Habit," a perky stomp with a title inspired by
Wade's tuba player, Louis "Buddy" Gross, who apparently made frequent trips to the men's room in order to satisfy some unspecified need for self-medication. This song was immortalized when, in October 1923,
King Oliver's Jazz Band made a record of it which is still prized for
Louis Armstrong's solo on slide whistle. In 1926-1927,
Nelson recorded with
Wade in various groups accompanying composer and vocalist
Perry Bradford and blues queen
Victoria Spivey -- her backing ensemble was billed as Erby's Fidgety Five. Although
Nelson's inclusion in a band billed as King Mutt & His Tennessee Thumpers is still open to conjecture, there's no mistaking his work with cornetist
Punch Miller and pianist/arranger
Alex Hill as members of
Jimmy Wade's Dixielanders in October 1928. In February, 1929, he assisted pianist Jimmy Flowers, banjoist Ikey Robinson, and drummer
Big Sid Catlett in providing accompaniment for comedian and female impersonator
Frankie "Half Pint" Jaxon. The last lap of
Nelson's recording career involved leading his own Hot Four which consisted of steel guitarist
Casey Bill Weldon, guitarist
Big Bill Broonzy, pianist Black Bob Hudson, and bassist
Bill Settles in October of 1936, and numerous appearances as a Windy City sideman during the years 1935-1937 as he sat in with
Victoria's sister Sweet Pease Spivey (as Hannah May & the State Street Four); Mary Mack & the State Street Swingers; Lil Johnson & Her Chicago Swingers, Leonard Scott & His Blue Boys; Ike Smith's Chicago Boys; Lorraine Walton;
Tampa Red;
Bumble Bee Slim;
Washboard Sam,
Red Nelson & His Washboard Band;
the Washboard Rhythm Kings,
the Chicago Rhythm Kings, and the
Harlem Hamfats. After 1940, alcoholism undermined
Nelson's health and curtailed his professional activities. He withdrew into anonymity and passed away in Chicago on March 14, 1959. ~ arwulf arwulf