Table of Contents


  • Foreward

  • Authors' Preface
  1. It All Started in New Orleans—--1890-1920

    • Nick LaRocca—--The Face of Early Jazz

    • Louis Prima---From Little Palermo to Las Vegas

    • Sam Butera—--The Last Link in the Crescent City Chain

    • Leon Roppolo---Mournful Notes over Lake Pontchartrain

    • Joe Maselli---Italian American Preservation Hall

    • Dr. Bruce Raeburn---A Ph.D Defends the ODJB

    • Jimmy LaRocca---Happy Music, Baby

    • The Axeman’s Jazz---Terror in Little Palermo

  2. Swing, Big Band and Be-Bop---1930-1960

    • Joe Venuti—--The Mad Fiddler From Philly

    • Eddie Lang—--A Superstar Before His Time

    • Joe Marsala---Breaking Down the Barriers

    • Stephane Grappelli—--The European Master

    • Flip Phillips—--Sliding Home with a Saxophone

    • Louie Bellson—--Gentleman of Jazz

    • Pete Candoli---Staccato Man

    • Conte Candoli—--The Beloved Younger Brother

    • Buddy De Franco—--The Best at Be-Bop Clarinet

    • Frank Sinatra—--Bigger Than It All But Still Jazz

    • Tony Bennett--Is He or Isn't He?

    • Sinatra and Bennett---No Grooving on the Godfather

    • Buddy Greco—--Jazz and The Rat Pack

    • Bucky Pizzarelli---Strings as Smooth as Silk

    • Johnny Frigo—--The Birdman of Chicago

  3. Into the Modern Era--1960 to Present

    • Lennie Tristano—-- The Passionate Intellectual

    • William Russo—--Jazz and the Classics

    • Rocco Scott La Faro—--The James Dean of Jazz

    • Joe Lovano—--Volcanic Action

    • Al Di Meola—--Jazz, Fusion, Flamenco and Beyond

    • Joey De Francesco—--Master of the Hammond B-3

    • John Pizzarelli---Like Father, Like Son

    • Pat Martino—--Mystical Magician of the Guitar

    • Frank Catalano—--Jazz Triumphs Over Hip-Hop

  4. Jazz in Italy

  5. Women in Jazz

  6. Ensemble of Italian American Jazz Artists

  7. Fascinating Facts
  • Bibliography

  • Index