British arranger and instrumentalist who was a regular in the trad music scene in England and the United States. Keith Nichols was a British pianist who excelled in classic jazz. He also played trombone (occasionally) and vibes. His first jazz band was formed while he was still high school. In 1964, he joined Mike Daniels’ band. He made his first recording debut with the group. Between 1967 and 1968, he recorded with Dick Sudhalter’s Anglo-American Alliance. From 1967 to 1974, Nichols was a member of the vaudeville group the Levity Lancers during a time when classic jazz was in decline. Nichols was a trombone player with the New Paul Whiteman Orchestra, and he also wrote charts for New York Jazz Repertory Company. He founded the Midnite Follies Orchestra in 1978. He was an independent freelancer in the U.S. and England since 1978. He was always in demand for a stride piano or a new arrangement. Nichols recorded with One-Up (1973-1977) as well as on various projects for Stomp Off (1983-83) and P.E.K. (during 2000s). Keith Nichols, 75 years old, died in London from complications caused by the COVID-19 virus on January 20, 2021. Allmusic
