Albert Burbank

A legendary clarinetist with fans of New Orleans jazz but in any other case somewhat overlooked, Albert Burbank (who had a lovely tone in his lower register) never really had a significant name but he generally worked steadily. He began playing clarinet significantly when he was 17, and in the 1920s performed with drummer Arnold DePass’ music group, Pal Petit, Chris Kelly, and Punch Miller amongst others. Burbank performed in dance halls within the ’30s and acquired his very own quartet with the battle years. Among his organizations within the ’40s and 50s had been Wooden Joe Nicholas, Albert Jiles, De De Pierce, Supplement Morand (1949-1950), Paul Barbarin, Child Clayton, Costs Matthews, Octave Crosby, Ernie Cagnoletti, and (throughout a uncommon trip beyond New Orleans to LA) briefly in 1954 with Child Ory. Burbank was a normal feature on the Paddock Lounge (1954-1966), Dixieland Hall, and Preservation Hall (1969-1973) and he frequently worked with Child Thomas Valentine and Papa French. Albert Burbank just recorded one record as a head (for Smoky Mary in 1969) but made an appearance on a number of recordings being a sideman including with Wooden Joe Nicholas as soon as 1945.