The Sheik of Araby

Kid Sheik Cola

George Colar, actually Cola but he used Colar, better known as Kid Sheik or Kid Sheik Cola, was a New Orleans jazz trumpeter and band leader who was born in New Orleans September 15, 1908, and passed in Detroit November 7, 1996. He is most associated with Dixieland jazz and was a long-term performer with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. His nickname "Kid Sheik" came from his chic style of clothing as he wore sheik suites as a young man.Cola started playing the trumpet at age 16 where he took informal lessons from Wooden Joe Nicholas. As a young musician, Cola idolized Chris Kelley and he would follow him around. His technique of playing was retrieved from Joe who was like his mentor, but his style of playing was from Chris who was his idol. At age 18(1925), C… more »