Louis Prima
Musician (1910-78)
Growing up in New Orleans, Louis Prima learned to play the trumpet on hisbrother’s old cornet, soon forming a band and later leading one of the hottestgroups of the big-band era (1936-45). In the1950s, he reinvented himself as aVegas lounge act featuring wife Keely Smith and saxman Sam Butera. Together,theyearned the first Grammy for a vocal group. Record deals and TVappearances followed, along with lasting fame as ape King Louie in WaltDisney’s “The Jungle Book.” (Provided by Fra Noi/Written by Otto Bruno)Formore geniuses, go to https://www.jccia.com/genius