A. Bernhard Nierman appears on the Imperial label shortly after their establishment, his rolls dating from 1915-1917.

Born in 1882 to Jewish Russian immigrants, the first notice I've found of his is  when Albert Von Tilzer, an extremely prominent composer whose most famous composition was 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game', dedicated his 1902 composition 'In Old Moroccco - Valse Intermezzo' to "my Life Long friend A. Bernhard Nierman". In 1906 Von Tilzer published a composition by Nierman called Judaica - The Everlasting Race with words in English and Yiddish.

By 1917, he was living at 3115 Park Avenue, Chicago, and listed himself as 'Concert Pianist and Instructor'. He gave Rachael Nierman as his next of kin, and describes himself as medium height and build with dark hair and brown eyes. His brother Marcus also lived at the same address.

By 1920, he was living with his brother Marcus and his family, listed himself as single, and working as a music teacher.

The 1930 Census has him living with his wife Sue (born in Ohio in 1893 to German immigrants) and working as a concert musician.

In the 1930s he appears to have made a move to Los Angeles, living at 8449 W. 4th St with Sue, and registering as a Democrat.

In 1942 he was back in Chicago, living at 5333 Dorchester Avenue. His next of kin is now his brother Marcus Nierman of the East End Hotel in Chicago. Now 5'9 and 196 pounds, the 59 years old appears to have retired from his musical career, listing himself as owning a jewellery and radio business at 540 E. 47th St, Chicago.

He died in Chicago on 18 March 1945.

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