Alvin Alcorn
Encyclopedia
Alvin Alcorn was an American New Orleans jazz
trumpeter.
Alcorn was born in New Orleans, Louisiana
. He learned music from his brother, though not much is known about his youth. He played freelance in New Orleans in the late 1920s and early 1930s; he appears with Armand J. Piron
's Sunny South Syncopators in 1930-31. He toured with Don Albert
from 1932-37, but this ensemble only did one recording date and Alcorn does not solo on it. He returned to New Orleans in 1937, playing in the groups of Paul Barbarin
, Sidney Desvigne
, Oscar Celestin (1951), and Octave Crosby. He then moved to Los Angeles
in 1954, where he played with Kid Ory
's Creole Jazz Band between 1954-56. Returning once again to New Orleans, he played regularly in local ensembles, and occasionally accompanied bands such as Chris Barber
's on tours of Europe. He was a member of Louis Cottrell, Jr.
's Heritage Hall Jazz Band.
Alcorn performed with the Olympia Brass Band
on the soundtrack to the James Bond
film Live and Let Die
, and has a bit part
as a killer in the film.
Alcorn recorded steadily after his dates with Ory, but many of them were released on small-issue labels with poor sound quality. Furthermore, Alcorn's abilities faded as he aged, and so he is primarily remembered for his time as a soloist with Ory.
New Orleans Jazz
New Orleans Jazz may refer to:*Dixieland, a style of jazz music*New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park*Utah Jazz, a professional National Basketball Association franchise that was previously based in New Orleans and known as the New Orleans Jazz, in recognition of the jazz music of New Orleans*A...
trumpeter.
Alcorn was born in New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. He learned music from his brother, though not much is known about his youth. He played freelance in New Orleans in the late 1920s and early 1930s; he appears with Armand J. Piron
Armand J. Piron
Armand John "A.J." Piron was an American jazz violinist, band leader, and composer.In 1915, Piron and Williams together started the Piron and Williams Publishing Company, and in their first year of business published Piron's composition, “I Wish That I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate”, which...
's Sunny South Syncopators in 1930-31. He toured with Don Albert
Don Albert
Albert Dominique, better known by his stage name Don Albert was an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader....
from 1932-37, but this ensemble only did one recording date and Alcorn does not solo on it. He returned to New Orleans in 1937, playing in the groups of Paul Barbarin
Paul Barbarin
Adolphe Paul Barbarin was a New Orleans jazz drummer, usually regarded as one of the very best of the pre-Big Band era jazz drummers...
, Sidney Desvigne
Sidney Desvigne
Sidney Desvigne was an American jazz trumpeter.Desvigne played in a large number of noted 1910s and 1920s-era New Orleans Jazz ensembles, including Leonard Bechet's Silver Bell Band, the Maple Leaf Orchestra, the Excelsior Brass Band, and Ed Allen's Whispering Gold Band. He and Fate Marable often...
, Oscar Celestin (1951), and Octave Crosby. He then moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1954, where he played with Kid Ory
Kid Ory
Edward "Kid" Ory was a jazz trombonist and bandleader. He was born in Woodland Plantation near LaPlace, Louisiana.-Biography:...
's Creole Jazz Band between 1954-56. Returning once again to New Orleans, he played regularly in local ensembles, and occasionally accompanied bands such as Chris Barber
Chris Barber
Donald Christopher 'Chris' Barber is best known as a jazz trombonist. As well as scoring a UK top twenty trad jazz hit he helped the careers of many musicians, notably the blues singer Ottilie Patterson, who was at one time his wife, and vocalist/banjoist Lonnie Donegan, whose appearances with...
's on tours of Europe. He was a member of Louis Cottrell, Jr.
Louis Cottrell, Jr.
Louis Albert Cottrell, Jr. was a Louisiana Creole jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist. He was the son of the influential drummer Louis Cottrell, Sr., and grandfather of New Orleans jazz drummer Louis Cottrell...
's Heritage Hall Jazz Band.
Alcorn performed with the Olympia Brass Band
Olympia Brass Band
The Olympia Brass Band is a New Orleans jazz brass band.The first "Olympia Brass Band" was active from the late 19th century to around World War I...
on the soundtrack to the James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
film Live and Let Die
Live and Let Die (film)
Live and Let Die is the eighth spy film in the James Bond series, and the first to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film was produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman...
, and has a bit part
Bit part
A bit part is a supporting acting role with at least one line of dialogue . In British television, bit parts are referred to as under sixes...
as a killer in the film.
Alcorn recorded steadily after his dates with Ory, but many of them were released on small-issue labels with poor sound quality. Furthermore, Alcorn's abilities faded as he aged, and so he is primarily remembered for his time as a soloist with Ory.