Bert Niosi (February 10, 1909 – August 3, 1987) was a Canadian bandleader, known as "Canada's King of Swing".

Early life

Niosi was born on February 10, 1909, in

London, Ontario London (pronounced ) is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. The city had a population of 422,324 according to the 2021 Canadian census. London is at the confluence of the Thames River, approximat ...

. "As a teenager he briefly played clarinet with

Guy Lombardo Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo (June 19, 1902 – November 5, 1977) was an Italian-Canadian-American bandleader, violinist, and hydroplane racer. Lombardo formed the Royal Canadians in 1924 with his brothers Carmen, Lebert and Victor, and oth ...

in Cleveland." Niosi had two brothers who also became musicians: Joe and Johnnie.

Later life and career

Niosi was proficient on several instruments: clarinet, flute, saxophone, trombone, and trumpet. He formed a dance band in 1931. This began a long association with the Palais Royale dance hall in Toronto, which lasted until 1950. Here, he earned the nickname 'Canada's King of Swing'. His orchestra, and a smaller group made up of some of its members, was broadcast frequently on

CBC Radio CBC Radio is the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which (regardless of language) are outlined below ...

. Niosi played alto saxophone and clarinet in the small band. He was also a member of CBC radio's ''

The Happy Gang ''The Happy Gang'' was a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio lunchtime variety show that ran from 1937 to 1959. During the Golden Age of Radio and well into the 1950s, it was one of Canada's most popular programs. In its heyday, it had about ...

'' musical series from 1952 to 1959. He died in Toronto on August 3, 1987.

References

1909 births 1987 deaths Canadian jazz bandleaders Musicians from London, Ontario 20th-century Canadian male musicians {{canada-musician-stub