Nelson, “Dave” Davidson C
Nelson, “Dave” Davidson C
Nelson, “Dave” Davidson C, jazz trumpeter, pianist, arranger; nephew of Joe “King” Oliver; b. Donaldsonville, La., c. 1905; d. N.Y., April 7, 1946. His first professional gig was with Marie Lucas Orch. at Lincoln Gardens in Chicago. He then worked with Ma Rainey, Jelly Roll Morton, and Richard M. Jones, who taught him arranging. He then toured with his own band before settling in N.Y. c. early 1929, where he worked with Luis Russell (1929), toured with King Oliver (1930), then primarily led his own bands, including one which toured with Mae West in The Constant Sinner (1931). During his last four years, he worked as a staff arranger for the Lewis Publishing Co. His trumpet playing was very much in the style of his more famous uncle.
—John Chilton Who’s Who of Jazz/Lewis Porter