Dukes of Dixieland

Biography

The Dukes of Dixieland originated in New Orleans in 1948, founded by teenage brothers Frank Assunto (trumpet) and Fred Assunto (trombone), who began playing professionally in 1946 at venues like Mama Lou's on Lake Pontchartrain, often alongside a young Pete Fountain. Initially performing as the Basin Street Four, Five, or Six, they rebranded as the Junior Dixieland Band and won a local talent contest for the Horace Heidt Pot O’Gold radio show in 1949, earning a tour spot and national runner-up status, which propelled them to professionalism. They officially became the Dukes of Dixieland around 1950-1951, recording their first sessions that year, achieving success in Chicago, Las Vegas (64 weeks at the Thunderbird in 1956), and releasing early LPs like one for Vik in 1955 featuring 'Bourbon Street Parade.' The original era ended after Fred's death in 1966, with Frank continuing selectively.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

In 1974, producer John Shoup revived the Dukes to preserve Dixieland music, hiring cornetist Connie Jones (formerly with Pete Fountain) as leader for their debut concert with the Chicago Pops at Grant Park. The current incarnation, stable since 1974, has performed hundreds of symphony concerts, festivals, and tours worldwide, recording over 20 albums including the first Dixieland CD in 1984 and 'Deep South Blues' in 2008. Home bases included Dukes Place (1974-1986), Mahogany Hall (1986-1992), and since 1992, the Steamboat Natchez riverboat, blending traditional New Orleans Dixieland jazz with orchestral and modern elements.[1][2][8]

The band's enduring legacy lies in revitalizing Dixieland through innovative recordings (e.g., direct-to-disk in 1981, Bose recordings for Mercedes in 1998) and high-profile events like PBS specials, international tours (e.g., Turkey 1996), and collaborations with groups like the Victory Belles in 2018. Leaders have included Connie Jones, Mike Vax (ex-Stan Kenton), Otis Bazoon, Frank Trapani, and later Kevin Clark, maintaining a core New Orleans sound while adapting to contemporary venues and technologies.[1][2]

Fun Facts

• Won local Horace Heidt contest as Junior Dixieland Band in 1949 with Pete Fountain, touring nationally as runners-up.
• First Dixieland band to record on CD with 'Digital Dixieland' in 1984.
• Bose recorded them on Steamboat Natchez in 1998 for inclusion in all new Mercedes automobiles.
• Performed for Turkish President Hasan Subasi's Golden Orange Art and Cultural Foundation opening in 1996.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Pete Fountain - Early playing partner and influence during teenage years; Connie Jones came from Fountain's band (Basin Street groups, Junior Dixieland Band) [1946-1949]

Key Collaborators

• Connie Jones - Cornetist and leader of revived band (First concert with Chicago Pops, multiple albums) [1974 onward]
• Frank Assunto - Co-founder, trumpet, bandleader of original group (Early recordings, Las Vegas residencies) [1948-1966]
• Fred Assunto - Co-founder, trombone, bandleader (First LPs including Vik 1955) [1948-1966]
• Mike Vax - Leader after Jones (1975 MCA album 'Vodka Tonic') [1975-1977]
• Frank Trapani - Leader, revamped band with New Orleans players (Added Phamous Lambert, Freddy Kohlman, Bobby Floyd) [1978 onward]
• John Shoup - Producer who relaunched the band (Over 20 albums, Steamboat Natchez residency) [1974-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Nowhere Road - From "Black Dog" Soundtrack (Exit 0)
2. I Ain't Ever Satisfied (Exit 0)
3. Sweet Little '66 (Exit 0)
4. The Rain Came Down (Exit 0)
5. Angry Young Man (Exit 0)
6. It's All Up To You (Exit 0)
7. Nowhere Road (Essential Steve Earle)
8. No. 29 (Exit 0)
9. The Week Of Living Dangerously (Exit 0)
10. San Antonio Girl (Exit 0)

External Links

• Spotify