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Nick LaRocca

American jazz cornetist, trumpeter and bandleader. Born 11 April 1889 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Died 22 February 1961 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Nick LaRocca was a son of Italian-American immigrants. From around 1910 through 1916, he was a member of [a=Papa Laine]'s bands. In 1916 he replaced [a=Frank Christian (2)] in [a=Johnny Stein (2)]'s band which later became the [a=Original Dixieland Jazz Band]. The band gave La Rocca the nickname "Joe Blade". In the 1920s they toured England and the United States.