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Louis Prima Sheet Music

About Louis Prima

Louis Prima was a dynamic American trumpeter, singer, bandleader, and entertainer whose illustrious career spanned over five decades, making him an enduring icon of 20th-century music. Rooted in New Orleans jazz, his distinctive style fused swing, jump blues, Dixieland, big band, and even Italian folk music with early rhythm and blues and rock and roll. Prima's electrifying stage presence, comedic timing, and boisterous vocals, often peppered with Italian-American charm, made him a pioneering figure who celebrated his heritage at a time when many ethnic musicians were encouraged to downplay theirs.

  • Louis Prima composed the enduring jazz standard "Sing, Sing, Sing," which became one of the most identifiable melodies of the swing era after Benny Goodman's instrumental version became a massive hit.
  • He famously lent his voice to the character of King Louie, the boisterous orangutan, in Walt Disney's 1967 animated classic "The Jungle Book," performing the beloved song "I Wan'na Be Like You."
  • Prima's highly successful Las Vegas lounge act in the 1950s, particularly with his then-wife Keely Smith and saxophonist Sam Butera, captivated audiences with its high energy, comic banter, and a string of hit recordings like "That Old Black Magic," for which they won a Grammy Award in 1958.
  • Unapologetically proud of his Sicilian heritage, Prima often incorporated Italian language and themes into his songs and performances, helping to pave the way for other Italian-American artists to openly embrace their cultural roots.

Performing Louis Prima's music is a joyous and exhilarating experience, suitable for a wide range of musicians and ensembles. His extensive catalog offers vibrant pieces for jazz ensembles, concert bands, vocalists, trumpeters, saxophonists, pianists, and guitarists, among others. Sheet music is available across various skill levels, from easy arrangements for budding musicians to advanced charts like the challenging "Sing, Sing, Sing" for seasoned jazz ensembles. Musicians will find his work rewarding to perform due to its infectious rhythms, opportunities for improvisation, and the sheer fun embedded in his energetic and humorous compositions.

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