NAMES IN THE NEWS : Trombonist Louis Nelson Dies

Jazz trombonist Louis Nelson, the last surviving member from the original Preservation Hall bands, died Thursday of injuries suffered in a hit-and-run accident. He was 87.

Although Nelson did not appear seriously injured in the accident 10 days ago, he collapsed Wednesday night and was rushed to a hospital, where he died.

Nelson’s last performance was two weeks ago with his Louis Nelson All Stars. He had been scheduled to perform this weekend at the French Quarter Festival but complained he had not felt well since the accident.

The Preservation Hall bands were born during private jam sessions with Kid Thomas in 1961 at a French Quarter art gallery that became so popular it later opened under that name. Preservation Hall is dedicated to traditional jazz.

He was born in New Orleans on Sept. 17, 1902. His mother was a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music and a mathematician; his father was a physician.

In the 1920s, Nelson played with the Kid Harris Dixieland Band and Kid Rena. He was a member of the famed Sidney Desvigne’s band for 15 years, including five years plying the Mississippi River aboard a steamer.