Nat Towles was an American musician, jazz and big band leader popular in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana, North Omaha, Nebraska and Chicago, Illinois.
12 Facts About Nat Towles
1.
2.
The Nat Towles band is considered one of the greatest territory bands of all time by musicians who played in it and by others who heard it.
3.
The son of string bassist Phil "Charlie" Towles, Nat was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 10,1905.
4.
Nat Towles performed in New Orleans through his teenage years with Gus Metcalf's Melody Jazz Band, eventually playing with a number of bands, including those of Buddie Petit, Henry "Red" Allen, Jack Carey, and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra.
5.
In 1934, Nat Towles organized a band of young musicians studying music at Wiley College in Austin, Texas.
6.
Nat Towles worked a club circuit in Dallas during this period, reportedly working for a gangster who owned 26 nightclubs throughout the city.
7.
In 1934 Nat Towles took up residence in North Omaha, Nebraska, where his band was stationed for the next 25 years.
8.
In 1936 and 1937 Nat Towles' band held residence at Omaha's Krug Park.
9.
That year Nat Towles played extensively throughout New York City, including an appearance at the Apollo Theater.
10.
In 1959 Nat Towles retired to California to open a bar.
11.
Nat Towles died in Berkeley, California, of a heart attack in January 1963.
12.
Nat Towles feared the limelight would then steal away his best players.