Alphonse Picou
Alphonse Floristan Picou, also known as Alphonse Picou, born on October 19,
1878, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was an American jazz clarinetist. He began his
musical career at age 16, initially playing both guitar and clarinet before
focusing solely on the latter. By his late teens, he was performing with various
bands, including those led by Bouboul Fortunea Augustat, Oscar DuConge, and
Freddie Keppard. Picou is notable for originating the clarinet part on "High
Society", a 1901 marching band composition by Porter Steele, which became a
local standard. He also collaborated with Bu...
