Al Belletto
Al Belletto | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 3, 1928 New Orleans,Louisiana,U.S. |
| Died | December 26, 2014 (aged 86) Metairie, Louisiana,U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instruments | Clarinet,saxophone |
Al Belletto(January 3, 1928 – December 26, 2014)[1]was an Americanjazzsaxophonist and clarinetist.
Early life and education
[edit]Belletto was born and raised inNew Orleans,where he led his own bands as a college student. He graduated fromWarren Easton Charter High Schoolbefore studying music atLoyola University New Orleansand earning a master's degree fromLouisiana State University.[2]
Career
[edit]Belletto played withSharkey Bonano,Louis Prima,Wingy Manoneand theDukes of Dixielandin the 1940s and 1950s, then led his own band for several albums onCapitol Recordsfrom 1952. He and his ensemble became part ofWoody Herman's band forUnited States Department of Statetours ofSouth Americain 1958 and 1959.[3]
In the 1960s, Belletto worked at the New Orleans Playboy Club fronting the house band and serving as Musical/Entertainment Director, booking nationally known acts into the venue.
Personal life
[edit]Belletto and his wife, Linda, had one son. Belletto died inMetairie, Louisiana,in 2014.[4]
Discography
[edit]- Sounds and Songs(Capitol Records,1955)
- Half and Half(Capitol, 1956)
- Whisper Not(Capitol, 1957)
- The Big Sound(King Records, 1962)
- Coach's Choice(ART Records,1973)
- Jazznocracy(Louisiana Red Hot,1998)
References
[edit]- ^Ramsey, Doug."Passings: DeFranco, Bedford, Belletto".Rifftides.Retrieved2014-12-30.
- ^Kunian, David."Obituary: Al Belletto".OffBeat Magazine.Retrieved2022-06-27.
- ^"Al Belletto Biography, Songs, & Albums".AllMusic.Retrieved2022-06-27.
- ^Spera, Keith."New Orleans jazz saxophonist Al Belletto has died at age 86".NOLA.Retrieved2022-06-27.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
- Jazz musicians from New Orleans
- American jazz saxophonists
- American male saxophonists
- American jazz clarinetists
- 1928 births
- 2014 deaths
- American male jazz musicians
- 20th-century American saxophonists
- Louisiana State University alumni
- 20th-century Jazz musicians from New Orleans
- 21st-century Jazz musicians from New Orleans