14 Facts About Alphonse Picou

Alphonse Floristan Picou was an important very early American jazz clarinetist, who wrote and arranged music.

Alphonse Picou was born and died in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Alphonse Picou was born into a prosperous middle-class Creole of Color family in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.

Alphonse Picou's parents were Alfred Picou and Clotilde Picou, who had other children: Cecilia, Willie, Feriol, Joseph, and Philomene Picou.

Soon Alphonse Picou was so much in demand as a clarinetist that he made most of his living from music.

Alphonse Picou played classical music with the Creole section's Lyre Club Symphony Orchestra.

Alphonse Picou was one of the early musicians playing in the new style that was developing in the city, not yet known as "jazz".

Alphonse Picou sometimes played in the band of Buddy Bolden, perhaps the most important force in the musical change.

Alphonse Picou's style is lilting with a gentle raggy feel.

Alphonse Picou's style struck many who heard Picou late in his career as either "not quite jazz" or "just barely jazz".

Alphonse Picou is perhaps best known for originating the clarinet part on the standard "High Society".

Alphonse Picou rearranged it giving it a gentle swing and paraphrased the piccolo part to create his famous clarinet solo.

Alphonse Picou often played on an unusual Albert Penzel-Mueler alto clarinet with the horn bent upwards instead of straight ahead.

Alphonse Picou spent most of his career in his home city.