Louis Prima
Biography
Louis Prima was an American trumpeter, singer and bandleader from New Orleans who worked in jazz, swing, jump blues and more. Raised in a musical Italian American family, he was given the violin, took up the cornet, and by 1924 was leading a band with childhood friends. After high school he played with touring orchestras, and his first break came when Lou Forbes hired him for shows at The Saenger. He began recording for Brunswick in 1934 and led his New Orleans Gang, scoring a jukebox hit in 1935 with The Lady in Red and writing Sing Sing Sing, which later became a hit for Benny Goodman. In 1954 he opened a new act in Las Vegas with singer Keely Smith and Sam Butera and the Witnesses, signing with Capitol Records and releasing The Wildest! in 1956; a version of That Old Black Magic earned the duo a Grammy. He voiced King Louie in The Jungle Book (1967).
67years old at death
- Born New Orleans
- Died New Orleans
- Star sign: SagittariusThe sign runs November 22 to December 21
- Louis Leo Prima (birth name)Also credited as King of the Swingers
Movie Career
- Films
- 3
- Career span
- 66 years1937 to 2003
Every film, newest first
- 2003Van Halen: The Van Halen StoryIMDb rating 5.9
- 1967The Jungle BookIMDb rating 7.6
- 1937Manhattan Merry-Go-RoundIMDb rating 5.4
Genres
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Behind the camera
Prima wrote and recorded "Sing Sing Sing" in March 1936, and the song went on to become a hit for Benny Goodman.
Louis Prima movies on Netflix
Worked with
Louis Prima made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Clint Howard's page
George Sanders's page
James Gleason's page
Sterling Holloway's page
Luis Alberni's page
John Abbott's page
Wolfgang ReithermanDirector, 1 film, 1967
All films by Wolfgang Reitherman
Eduardo Eguia DibildoxDirector, 1 film, 2003
All films by Eduardo Eguia Dibildox
Charles ReisnerDirector, 1 film, 1937
All films by Charles Reisner
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.