Sad to note that saxophonist MR. SAM BUTERA (right hand man to New Orleans' LOUIS PRIMA) has passed at age 81 (June 3rd, Las Vegas, Nevada USA). What joy these two fun-loving musicians gave us. From the perspective of my youth - Louis' wife Keely Smith, Sam and Louis were East End Vancouver, Canada favourites. This was helped by the East Side being not only the bastion of Black music appreciation but also the Italian-Canadian cultural & communal centre on the West Coast.
This film clip shows Louis with SAM BUTERA & THE WITNESSES at their show-band R&B honkin' sax comedic best.
DJZigZag
1 comment:
DJZZ - what a gem! Along with Louis Jordan, Wynnie Harris, Dave Bartholomew and a few others, these forward-thinking musicians made the transition from the big-band era to pioneering early R&B in the late 40's & early 50's
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