[Dixielandjazz] Italians in Jazz

[Steve barbone]

Even Dick Sudhalter's Book gives a quick reference to Italians in the early
jazz forms of New Orleans. He opines on page 60, "Lost Chords" that:

"The sheer quantity of Sicilian names in the ranks of early New Orleans
Jazzmen - LaRocca, Rappolo, Veca, Almerico, Giardino, Bonano, Capraro,
Prima, Lala, Coltraro, Davilla, Loycano, Manone, Gallodoro, Federico,
Papalia, Mello, Palmisano, Pecora, Provenzano, Sbarbaro - attests to the
role Italo-Americans played in the music's first years. It is a field ripe
for further research."

Back then there was a style of clarinet playing called the "Sicilian
School". Very flowery, very adaptable to jazz. Many of the early
clarinetists in N.O. were products of, or influenced by this style.

Guys like Nunzio Scaglione, Charlie Cordilla and others are some that come
to mind.

So look out, Bill Haesler, Guido is ever jealous of his contention that:

Italians invented jazz.:-) VBG.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone