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Louis Prima

Louis Leo Prima (December 7, 1910 – August 24, 1978) was an American trumpeter, singer, entertainer, and bandleader. While rooted in New Orleans jazz, swing music, and jump blues, Prima touched on various genres throughout his career: he formed a seven-piece New Orleans-style jazz band in the late 1920s, fronted a swing combo in the 1930s and a big band group in the 1940s, helped to popularize jump blues in the late 1940s and early to mid 1950s, and performed frequently as a Vegas lounge act beginning in the 1950s.

From the 1940s through the 1960s, his music further encompassed early R&B and rock 'n' roll, boogie-woogie, and Italian folk music, such as the tarantella. Prima made prominent use of Italian music and language in his songs, blending elements of his Italian and Sicilian identity with jazz and swing music. At a time when ethnic musicians were discouraged from openly stressing their ethnicity, Prima's conspicuous embrace of his Sicilian ethnicity opened the doors for other Italian-American and ethnic American musicians to display their ethnic roots.

Prima is also known for providing the voice for the orangutan King Louie in the 1967 Disney film The Jungle Book.

Birth and Death Data: Born December 7, 1910 (New Orleans), Died August 24, 1978 (New Orleans)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1933 - 1950

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, trumpet, leader, songwriter, composer, lyricist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-77034 10-in. 9/28/1933 Chinatown, my Chinatown Hotcha Trio Instrumental trio, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet, vocalist  
Victor BS-77036 10-in. 9/28/1933 Dinah Hotcha Trio ; Louis Prima Instrumental trio, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet, vocalist  
Victor BS-100883 10-in. 8/4/1936 Sing, sing, sing (With a swing) Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra ; Georgia Boy Simpkins Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer, lyricist  
Victor BS-102347 10-in. 7/7/1936 Sing, sing, sing (With a swing) Connie McLean Rhythm Orchestra ; Alex Miller Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer, lyricist  
Victor PCS-09571 12-in. 7/6/1937 Sing, sing, sing Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor PCS-09572 12-in. 7/6/1937 Sing, sing, sing Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BS-018167 10-in. 1/15/1938 Yes, there ain't no moonlight (So what) Freddy Martin Orchestra ; Martin-Aires Trio Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio songwriter  
Victor BS-021418 10-in. 3/10/1938 Where have we met before Dick Stabile Orchestra ; Paula Kelly Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-021648 10-in. 3/29/1938 Where have we met before? Guy Lombardo ; Royal Canadians Jazz/dance band, with vocal trio songwriter  
Victor BS-047903 10-in. 3/1/1940 Sing a spell Blue Barron ; Three Blue Notes Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio and vocal ensemble composer, lyricist  
Victor BS-053134 10-in. 6/13/1940 Be happy Glenn Miller Orchestra ; Marion Hutton Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-068348 10-in. 11/24/1941 Tica ti - tica ta Marilyn Duke ; Vaughn Monroe's Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal ensemble composer  
Victor BS-068850 10-in. 1/11/1942 Tica ti - tica ta Dick Todd Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BS-068867 10-in. 1/12/1942 Tica ti - tica ta Jan Savitt ; Top Hatters Jazz/dance band, with vocal composer  
Victor BS-071869 10-in. 2/19/1942 Tica-ti tica-ta Tito Guizar Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet composer  
Victor E0VB-4551 10-in. 10/19/1950 Oh babe! Homer and Jethro Male vocal duet, with string band songwriter  
Victor D4AB-0427 10-in. 11/17/1944 Robin Hood Tony Pastor Orchestra Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor D5VB-0181 10-in. 4/2/1945 Please no squeeza da banana Tony Pastor Orchestra ; Charles Trotta Male vocal solo, with recitation and jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor D7VB-1443 10-in. 7/24/1947 Civilization (bongo, bongo, bongo) Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, leader  
Victor D7VB-1444 10-in. 7/24/1947 You can't tell the depth of the well Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader  
Victor D7VB-1445 10-in. 7/24/1947 Say it with a slap Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader  
Victor D7VB-1446 10-in. 7/24/1947 Forsaking all others Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Female-male vocal duet, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader  
Victor D7VB-1447 10-in. 7/24/1947 I'll never make the same mistake again Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader  
Victor D7VB-1635 10-in. 9/22/1947 Valencia Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal group jazz/dance band vocalist, leader  
Victor D7VB-1636 10-in. 9/22/1947 With a hey and a hi and a ho ho ho! Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal group jazz/dance band vocalist, leader  
Victor D7VB-1637 10-in. 9/22/1947 My flame went out last night Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal group jazz/dance band vocalist, leader  
Victor D7VB-1638 10-in. 9/22/1947 My little donkey Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, leader, songwriter  
Victor D7VB-2033 10-in. 11/11/1947 Too fat polka Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2034 10-in. 11/11/1947 If I only had a match Cathy Allen ; Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Female-male vocal duet, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2037 10-in. 11/11/1947 The certain party Louis Prima Orchestra Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2038 10-in. 11/11/1947 California is wonderful (if you're a grapefruit) Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2039 10-in. 11/11/1947 I'm living a lie Cathy Allen ; Louis Prima Orchestra Female vocal solo, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band leader, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2040 10-in. 11/12/1947 I feel so smoochie Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal ensemble and jazz/dance band leader, instrumentalist, trumpet, vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2051 10-in. 11/12/1947 Oh! Florence (the thousand islands song) Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal ensemble and jazz/dance band leader, vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2052 10-in. 11/12/1947 Sweet nothings Cathy Allen ; Louis Prima Orchestra Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band leader, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2584 10-in. 12/4/1947 Betty blue Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal ensemble and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2585 10-in. 12/4/1947 Anticipation without realization Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2586 10-in. 12/4/1947 Lillian Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal ensemble and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2587 10-in. 12/4/1947 Bubble-loo bubble-loo Cathy Allen ; Louis Prima Orchestra Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band leader, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2588 10-in. 12/4/1947 The sad cowboy Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal ensemble and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2589 10-in. 12/4/1947 All of me Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal ensemble and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D7VB-2593 10-in. 12/5/1947 Mean to me Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band leader, vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2594 10-in. 12/5/1947 Love that boy! Cathy Allen ; Louis Prima Orchestra Female vocal solo, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band leader  
Victor D7VB-2595 10-in. 12/5/1947 Anywhere in Texas R. F. D. Louis Prima Orchestra Male vocal solo, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band leader, vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2596 10-in. 12/5/1947 Tutti tutti pizzicato Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band leader, vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2598 10-in. 12/5/1947 Everybody's friend, but nobody's sweetheart Cathy Allen ; Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band leader, vocalist, songwriter  
Victor D7VB-2599 10-in. 12/5/1947 The bee song (he-bee and she-bee) Louis Prima Orchestra ; Louis Prima Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band leader, vocalist, songwriter  
Victor D9VB-0287 10-in. 3/15/1949 All right, Louie, drop the gun Cast of Characters ; Louis Prima Orchestra Male vocal solo, with vocal group and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D9VB-0291 10-in. 3/15/1949 It's a cruel, cruel world The Goofers ; Louis Prima Orchestra Male vocal solo, with vocal group and jazz/dance band leader, instrumentalist, trumpet, vocalist  
Decca 63166 10-in. 1/17/1938 Now they call it swing Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63167 10-in. 1/17/1938 Yes, there ain't no moonlight Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63168 10-in. 1/17/1938 Rosalie Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63169 10-in. 1/17/1938 Where have we met before? Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63783 10-in. 5/16/1938 Why should I pretend ? Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63784 10-in. 5/16/1938 Doin' the serpentine Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63785 10-in. 5/16/1938 You call it madness Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 63786 10-in. 5/16/1938 Nothin' too good for you Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 65952 10-in. 7/12/1939 A good man is hard to find Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 65953 10-in. 7/12/1939 If I could be with you one hour tonight Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 65954 10-in. 7/12/1939 Of Thee I sing Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 65955 10-in. 7/12/1939 Sweet and low down Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca DLA 1637 10-in. 12/12/1938 Show me the way to go home Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca DLA 1638 10-in. 12/12/1938 Exactly like you Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca DLA 1639 10-in. 12/12/1938 Jitterbugs on parade Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca DLA 1640 10-in. 12/12/1938 Now and then Louis Prima and his New Orleans Gang vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Prima, Louis," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/108876.

Prima, Louis. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/108876.

"Prima, Louis." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/108876

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