Les enjoliveurs louis prima biography

Born Louis Leo Prima, December 7, 1911, in New Orleans, LA; died of complications following a brain tumor, August 24, 1978, in New Orleans; son of Anthony Prima (a soda-pop distributor) and Angelina Caravella (a housewife); married Louise Polizzi, June 25, 1929 (marriage dissolved, c.

1936); children: Joyce; married Alma Ross, July 25, 1936 (marriage dissolved, c. 1947); married Tracelene Barrett, c.

Louis prima jr

June, 1948 (marriage dissolved, June 18, 1953); married Dorothy Jacqueline Keely, July, 1953 (dissolved October 3, 1961); children: Toni, Louanne; married Gia Maione, February, 1963; children: Lena Ann and Louis, Jr.

During the peak of his career in the mid-1950s, Louis Prima summed up the appeal of his act to Down Beat in one word--variety.

"The audience never knows what comes next," explained Prima, "and to tell the truth, neither do we. We're always throwing 'em surprises, and they love it!"

By the time Prima uttered those words, he had been a veteran of show business for three dec