Louis Prima

Louis Prima was a trumpeter, singer, and bandleader from New Orleans who started playing in the early 1930s. He formed a group called the New Orleans Gang that developed a lively sound mixing swing and jazz. Songs like "Just a Gigolo (Ain't Got Nobody)" and "Che La Luna" became signatures of his energetic style.

His band often featured saxophonist Sam Butera and vocalist Keely Smith, who appears on the recording "C'è La Luna Mezzu U Mare." Prima's performances were known for their high energy and showmanship, which helped popularize his music beyond jazz circles.

In the 1940s, he spent some time in prison after refusing to play at a segregated club. He returned to performing afterward and continued recording through the following decades. Other songs like "Angelina," "Oh Marie!," and "Pennies from heaven" show the range of material he worked with, from Italian-American tunes to pop standards.