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Bebop, Swing, and Bella Musica: Jazz and the Italian American Experience

Source: Michael Ricci
March 26, 2015
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A book by Bill Dal Cerro and David Anthony Witter.

Frank Sinatra

vocals
1915 - 1998

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Sinatra,

Louis Prima

trumpet and vocals
1910 - 1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Prima,

Louie Bellson

drums
1924 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">Louie Bellson,

Lennie Tristano

piano
1919 - 1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Lennie Tristano,

Tony Bennett

vocals
1926 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Bennett,

Buddy DeFranco

clarinet
1923 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy DeFranco,

Flip Phillips

saxophone, tenor
1915 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Flip Phillips, and

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Lovano: These are just some of the hundreds of musicians of Italian descent whose talents have enriched jazz.

Bebop, Swing, and Bella Musica is more than just a book about jazz. From the lynching of Italian immigrants in New Orleans in 1891 through the headliners and award winning performers of today, this book documents the cultural barriers which Italians faced in their pursuit of the American Dream. It also profiles the many Italian American musicians, including Bennett, Sinatra, Bellson, and

Joe Marsala

b.1907

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Marsala, who played a vital role in the integration of jazz.

Bebop, Swing, and Bella Musica features original interviews with artists such as Louie Bellson, Buddy DeFranco,

Buddy Greco

vocals
1926 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Greco,

Sam Butera

saxophone
1927 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Butera,

Johnny Frigo

violin
b.1916

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Frigo, and

Bucky Pizzarelli

guitar
1926 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Bucky Pizzarelli who survived the immigrant experience, the Great Depression, poverty, and other personal tragedies in pursuit of their craft. In the end, they drew strength from the musical traditions of their ancestors, bringing Italian passion to America��s greatest art form.

The book also features interviews with modern musicians like Joe Lovano,

Al Di Meola

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Al Di Meola,

Pat Martino

guitar
1944 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Martino,

John Pizzarelli

guitar
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">John Pizzarelli and

Frank Catalano

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Catalano who continue to win awards and influence jazz music.

Artists like

Morgana King

vocals
1930 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Morgana King,

Roberta Gambarini

vocals
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Roberta Gambarini,

Joanie Pallatto

vocals
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Joanie Pallatto, and

Ada Rovatti

saxophone, tenor
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Ada Rovatti are just a few of the female musicians whose contributions are likewise documented in the book.

As Grammy Award winning saxophonist Joe Lovano said: ��Jazz has a specific root��the African American experience��but it��s also about the branches of the tree. Jazz is about cultures coming together, inspiring each other, which is what makes it so beautiful.��

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