Louis Prima and Keely Smith

Biography

Louis Prima, born in New Orleans in 1910, was a dynamic American trumpeter, singer, and bandleader whose career spanned jazz, swing, and jump blues. He began leading bands in the late 1920s, quickly establishing himself in the New York and Los Angeles club scenes, and became known for his exuberant stage presence and raspy vocals. Prima composed enduring swing standards such as 'Sing, Sing, Sing' and 'Jump, Jive an’ Wail,' and led several successful big bands throughout the 1930s and 1940s, adapting his style to the evolving tastes of American popular music.[1][2][4]

Keely Smith, born Dorothy Keely in Norfolk, Virginia in 1928, emerged as a talented vocalist in her teens, performing with naval dance bands during World War II. She met Prima in 1947 and joined his band as the lead female vocalist, quickly becoming his musical and comedic foil. Their partnership, both professional and romantic, flourished after their marriage in 1953. Together with saxophonist Sam Butera and The Witnesses, Prima and Smith pioneered a unique Las Vegas lounge act in the 1950s, blending swing, jump blues, and comic banter. Their chemistry and innovative sound revitalized Prima’s career and brought Smith widespread acclaim, including a Grammy Award for 'That Old Black Magic' in 1959.[3][4][5]

The duo’s influence extended beyond their own era, inspiring later generations of swing and jazz musicians. Their lively performances and genre-blending style helped popularize the Las Vegas lounge scene and left a lasting legacy in American music. Smith continued to perform and record after their partnership ended, earning recognition for her solo work and helping to revive interest in big band and swing music in subsequent decades.[3][5]

Fun Facts

• Louis Prima composed the swing classic 'Sing, Sing, Sing,' which became an iconic hit when recorded by Benny Goodman’s orchestra in 1937.[4]
• Keely Smith was known for her deadpan stage persona, which perfectly contrasted Prima’s wild antics and became a signature element of their act.[4][5]
• Prima and Smith won the very first Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus in 1959 for their recording of 'That Old Black Magic.'[5]
• Their Las Vegas lounge act at the Sahara Hotel was initially considered low prestige, but their success helped redefine the Vegas entertainment scene.[2][4]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Louis Jordan - Influence on Prima and Smith's jump blues style; Jordan popularized the 'jumping jive' R&B prototype they adopted. (General stylistic influence, especially in Prima's 1950s work.) [1940s–1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Sam Butera - New Orleans saxophonist recruited by Prima to lead The Witnesses; key figure in shaping their Las Vegas sound. (The Witnesses band, Las Vegas lounge act, Capitol recordings.) [1954–1960s]
• The Witnesses - Backing band for Prima and Smith during their Las Vegas residency. (Live performances, Capitol Records albums.) [1954–1960s]

Artists Influenced

• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Contemporary swing revival band influenced by Prima and Smith's big band style and stage act. (General stylistic influence, especially in their stage performances.) [1990s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Buona Sera - Remastered 1999 (Wild, Cool & Swingin')
2. Angelina / Zooma Zooma - Medley / Live At Lake Tahoe / 1957 / Remastered 1999 (Wild, Cool & Swingin')
3. Pennies From Heaven - Remastered 1999 (Wild, Cool & Swingin')
4. Pennies From Heaven - Remastered 1999 (Louis Prima Plays The Standards)
5. The Closer To The Bone (The Sweeter Is The Meat) - Remastered 1999 (Wild, Cool & Swingin')
6. Hey, Boy! Hey, Girl! - Remastered 1999 (Wild, Cool & Swingin')
7. Moonglow - Remastered 1999 (Wild, Cool & Swingin')
8. Love Of My Life (O Sole Mio) - Live From The Casbar Theatre At The Sahara, Las Vegas 1958 / Remastered 1999 (Wild, Cool & Swingin')
9. That Old Black Magic - Live In Las Vegas/1958 / Remastered 1996 (Wild, Cool & Swingin')
10. Should I / I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me - Medley / Live In Las Vegas /1958 / Remastered 1999 (Wild, Cool & Swingin')

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia