The Four Aces

Vocal quartet formed in 1935 in Fort Worth, Texas. They practised a close harmony (Barbershop) style.

The line-up consisted of second tenor Algia Pickett, James Ruben Franks (first tenor and guitar), George Smith (baritone), and Otha Jackson (bass).
They initially performed live and on radio. In 1939 they were on WOAI in San Antonio, Texas for about a year. In 1940 they moved to the San Francisco-Oakland area. During the war Algia, Otha, and George went into the service. They reformed in 1946. In late 1946, they signed with Rene Lamarre's Trilon label. None of the records they recorded with Trilon managed to chart. In 1949 they signed with 4 Star.

In 1956 the group disbanded when in April James Franks left and moved to Los Angeles and George Smith left to work for the Post Office in San Francisco.

Algia Pickett passed away on April 11, 2004 (he was around 91), followed a few months later (November 1) by Otha Jackson (88).