A student of Sidney Bechet and Lorenzo Tio, Noone was regarded as one of the best ever Dixieland jazz clarinettists in the New Orleans tradition. From 1926 to 1929, he led 'The Apex Club Orchestra' in Chicago, with Earl 'Fatha' Hines one of the members of the band. They made recordings for Vocalion and had hits with "Four of Five Times" and (his theme) "Sweet Lorraine". In the 1940's, Noone worked in Los Angeles with Kid Ory and was featured on Orson Welles's weekly radio show with the New Orleans All Stars. Died of a sudden heart attack, aged just 48.