Nat Towles

Nat Towles (10 de agosto de 1905 - enero de 1963) fue un músico estadounidense, director de orquesta de jazz y big band , popular en su ciudad natal de Nueva Orleans, Luisiana , North Omaha, Nebraska y Chicago, Illinois . También fue educador musical en Austin, Texas . ^{[ a ]} La banda de Nat Towles es considerada una de las mejores bandas de música de todos los tiempos por los músicos que tocaron en ella y por quienes la escucharon. ^{[ 1 ] [ 2 ]}

Hijo del contrabajista Phil "Charlie" Towles, Nat nació en Nueva Orleans, Luisiana , el 10 de agosto de 1905. ^{[ 1 ]} Comenzó su carrera musical como guitarrista y violinista a los 11 años, y a los 13 se pasó al bajo. Tocó en Nueva Orleans durante su adolescencia con la Melody Jazz Band de Gus Metcalf , y posteriormente formó parte de varias bandas, entre ellas las de Buddie Petit , Henry "Red" Allen , Jack Carey y la Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra . ^{[ 3 ]}

En 1923 formó The Nat Towles' Creole Harmony Kings. Esta banda de jazz se convirtió en una de las más destacadas del territorio en Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas y Nebraska. En 1925 tocó el bajo para Fate Marable y reformó su propia banda al año siguiente. En 1934, Towles organizó una banda de jóvenes músicos que estudiaban música en Wiley College en Austin, Texas . ^{[ 4 ] [ 3 ]} Towles también trabajó en el circuito de clubes de Dallas durante este período, supuestamente para un gánster que poseía 26 clubes nocturnos en toda la ciudad. Durante este período, T-Bone Walker y Buddy Tate trabajaron para Towles. ^{[ 5 ]}

In the 1930s Towles transformed his band into The Nat Towles Dance Orchestra, signed with the National Orchestra Service, and focused on swing music through the 1930s and 1940s. In 1934 Towles took up residence in North Omaha, Nebraska, where his band was stationed for the next 25 years. With this outfit Towles dueled with Lloyd Hunter for dominance over the much-contested Near North Side in North Omaha, where he was held over at the Dreamland Ballroom for several weeks. In 1936 and 1937 Towles' band held residence at Omaha's Krug Park.^[1]

In 1943 he also held a three-month stint at the Rhumboogie Club in Chicago,^[6] and later that year took up residency again in Omaha's Dreamland Ballroom. Billy Mitchell played with him during that period. That year Towles also played extensively throughout New York City, including an appearance at the Apollo Theater. Notable players in the dance orchestra included trombonist Buster Cooper^[7] and saxophonists Red Holloway,^[8]Buster Bennett and Preston Love. Towles continued leading bands throughout the 1950s.

In 1959 Towles retired to California to open a bar.^[3] He died in Berkeley, California, of a heart attack in January 1963.^[1]

Despite a 1940 issue of Billboard magazine listing Towles as producing "Best Patronage Reaction", his work did not find true national recognition.^[1] He feared the limelight would then steal away his best players. For this reason there are very few recordings of Nat Towles' Band.^[9]

In his role as their bandleader, Towles is credited with influencing a variety of musicians including Sir Charles Thompson and Neal Hefti, as well as saxophonists Jimmy Heath, Oliver Nelson, and Paul Quinichette.^[6] As an educator, Towles influenced many younger musicians such as pianist Duke Groner and trombonist Buddy McLewis (aka Joe McLewis).

• Culture in North Omaha, Nebraska
• Music in Omaha, Nebraska

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