Louis Prima
An American singer, actor, songwriter, and trumpeter. Prima rode the musical trends of his time, starting with his seven-piece New Orleans style jazz band in the 1920s, then successively leading a swing combo in the 1930s, a big band in the 1940s, a Vegas lounge act in the 1950s, and a pop-rock band in the 1960s. In each of his musical endeavors, he incorporated his exuberant personality into his act. ~ Wikipedia: Louis Prima ~ retrieved April 21, 2014 © Wikipedia
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December 7, 1985 ~ Billboard Hot 100 ~ #3 (2) Starship, We Built This City ~ #2 (1) Phil Collins/Marilyn Martin, Separate Lives ~ #1 (3) Mr. Mister, Broken Wings
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A tireless showman and an underrated musical talent, Louis Prima swung his way to icon status thanks to an irresistible, infectious sound whose appeal translated across generations. Nominally a swing artist, Prima's distinctive sound also encompassed New Orleans-style jazz, boogie-woogie, jump blues, R&B, early rock & roll, and even the occasional Italian tarantella. Regardless of what form his music took, it swung hard and fast, with a rolling, up-tempo shuffle beat that helped some of his earlier material cross over to R&B audiences (his songs were also covered by jump blues artists from time to time). ~ Allmusic: Louis Prima ~ retrieved August 15, 2013 © Allmusic
Louis Prima ~ Inducted in the 1993 Big Band And Jazz Hall Of Fame.
As a Writer or co-writer
The Benny Goodman Orchestra ~ Sing, Sing, Sing (Prima) ~ As performed and recorded during 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert ~ Named one of the NPR 100 Most Important American Musical Works Of The 20th Century in 2000 ~ The Goodman orchestra was well known in America from club appearances from New York to Chicago and from the radio. But Swing had its detractors, too. Even so, the Carnegie Hall concert marked the moment when the music itself was afforded a sign of respect. The last number on the program was “Sing, Sing, Sing” - what Goodman called a “killer diller” a number intended to get a crowd on its feet, jitterbugging. Drummer Gene Krupa sets the groove with his tom-toms, and members of the orchestra take their turns soloing, including a mournful one from Benny himself. ~ 2000 © NPR