John Rotella
Johnny Rotella (November 4, 1920 – September 11, 2014) was an American woodwind player, session player, and songwriter. In a career spanning more than six decades, he wrote over 200 songs, including the Frank Sinatra standard “Nothing but the Best”. |
Birth and Death Data: Born November 4, 1920 (Jersey City), Died September 11, 2014
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1949 - 1954
Roles Represented in DAHR: alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, clarinet, saxophone
= 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decca | 81383 | 8/13/1951 | Dreamy melody | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | 81384 | 8/13/1951 | Darling, how could you? | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | 81385 | 8/13/1951 | V hop | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | 81435 | 8/20/1951 | Jeep jockey jump | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | 81436 | 8/20/1951 | Georgia on my mind | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | 81437 | 8/20/1951 | Who's sorry now? | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | 81438 | 8/20/1951 | St. Louis blues | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5234 | 12/2/1949 | Sitting by the window | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5235 | 12/2/1949 | Just for old times | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5236 | 12/2/1949 | By the waters of Minnetonka | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5237 | 12/2/1949 | Crew cut | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5349 | 1/24/1950 | Bamboo | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5350 | 1/24/1950 | One! Two! Three! | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5351 | 1/24/1950 | Stormy weather march | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5352 | 1/24/1950 | Carioca | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5397 | 2/20/1950 | Smoke gets in your eyes | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5398 | 2/20/1950 | Night and day | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5399 | 2/20/1950 | All the things you are | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5400 | 2/20/1950 | Stardust | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5419 | 3/9/1950 | Blue skies | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5420 | 3/9/1950 | Dancing in the dark | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5423 | 3/10/1950 | This can't be love | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5424 | 3/10/1950 | What is this thing called love? | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5425 | 3/10/1950 | Desert serenade | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5499 | 4/5/1950 | Home cookin' | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5500 | 4/5/1950 | Crazy she calls me | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5501 | 4/5/1950 | In the mood | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5575 | 4/25/1950 | Cry, cry, cry | Mildred Bailey | instrumentalist, saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5576 | 4/25/1950 | Blue prelude | Mildred Bailey | instrumentalist, saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5606 | 5/18/1950 | Sound off (Duckworth chant) | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5607 | 5/18/1950 | A string of pearls | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5608 | 5/18/1950 | The lonesomest whistle | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5707 | 6/27/1950 | You wonderful you | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5708 | 6/27/1950 | Dig-dig-dig dig for your dinner | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5709 | 6/27/1950 | Re-stringing the pearls (A ball of twine) | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5775 | 7/31/1950 | Honestly, I love you | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5776 | 7/31/1950 | I don't care if the sun don't shine | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5777 | 7/31/1950 | Vagabond shoes | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5778 | 7/31/1950 | No other love-1 | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5783 | 8/15/1950 | Farewell blues | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5794 | 8/23/1950 | And you'll be home | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5795 | 8/25/1950 | Where do I go from you? | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5796 | 8/25/1950 | Accidents will happen | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5799 | 8/25/1950 | The spirit is willing | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5800 | 8/25/1950 | Off limits (Passage interdit) | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5801 | 8/25/1950 | Minuet in G | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5822 | 9/6/1950 | Ellington echoes: Part 1: Sophisticated lady ; I let a song go out of my heart | Eddie Miller | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5823 | 9/6/1950 | Ellington echoes: Part 2: In a sentimental mood/Solitude | Eddie Miller | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5939 | 12/6/1950 | Music by the angels | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5940 | 12/6/1950 | Would I love you | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5941 | 12/6/1950 | Dear! Dear! Dear! | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5942 | 12/6/1950 | Say it with your kisses | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5957 | 12/15/1950 | Circus | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5958 | 12/15/1950 | Holiday for strings | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 5959 | 12/15/1950 | Begin the beguine | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6466 | 10/5/1951 | I never was loved by anyone | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6467 | 10/5/1951 | Turn back the hands of time | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6468 | 10/5/1951 | Miracles seem to happen | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6469 | 10/5/1951 | Bess, you is my woman now | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6593 | 1/14/1952 | Cry | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6594 | 1/14/1952 | A garden in the rain | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6595 | 1/14/1952 | Unforgettable | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6596 | 1/14/1952 | Adios | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6695 | 3/28/1952 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6696 | 3/28/1952 | Somewhere along the way | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6697 | 3/28/1952 | Darktown Strutters' Ball | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6698 | 3/28/1952 | At last | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6863 | 8/13/1952 | Anchors aweigh | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6864 | 8/13/1952 | On brave old Army team | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6865 | 8/13/1952 | Jurame (Promise love) | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6940 | 11/24/1952 | Oh so good | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6948 | 11/28/1952 | No moon at all | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6949 | 11/28/1952 | My heart belongs to Daddy | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6955 | 11/30/1952 | I can't lie to myself | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6956 | 11/30/1952 | Don't wake me up | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 6965 | 12/5/1952 | Solid as a stonewall, Jackson | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 7104 | 3/24/1953 | And the bull walked around, olay | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 7105 | 3/24/1953 | Tompkins Cove | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 7106 | 3/24/1953 | One-stop boogie | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 7166 | 4/27/1953 | Pale moon (An Indian love song) | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 7167 | 4/27/1953 | Off the wall | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 7168 | 4/27/1953 | Later | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone | |||
| Decca | L 7665 | 5/7/1954 | I know why | Modernaires | instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet | |||
| Decca | L 7666 | 5/7/1954 | That's you, that's me, that's love | Modernaires | instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet | |||
| Decca | L 7667 | 5/7/1954 | Mine! Mine! Mine! | Modernaires | instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Rotella, John," accessed November 6, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/208851.
Rotella, John. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/208851.
"Rotella, John." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 6 November 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Rotella, Johnny - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n2012004567
Wikidata: Johnny Rotella - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q18175180
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/229725171
MusicBrainz: Johnny Rotella - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/9be5a869-1be1-427e-9c85-fe223b9f5fc4
Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license
Feedback
Send the Editors a message about this record.