Marty Napoleon
Left to right: Don Varella, Stan Johnson, Marty Napoleon, Fraser MacPherson. Penthouse, Vancouver, B.C. April 4, 1952. Photo courtesy of the Fraser MacPherson estate
Left to right: Don Varella, Stan Johnson, Marty Napoleon, Fraser MacPherson. Penthouse, Vancouver, B.C. April 4, 1952. Photo courtesy of the Fraser MacPherson estate
Background information
Birth nameMatthew Napoli
Born(1921-06-02)June 2, 1921
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedApril 27, 2015(2015-04-27) (aged 93)
Glen Cove, New York, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Piano
Years active1940s–2012

Marty Napoleon (June 2, 1921 – April 27, 2015)[1] was an American jazz pianist.[2] He replaced Earl Hines in Louis Armstrong's All Stars band in 1952.[2] In 1946 he worked with Gene Krupa and went on to work with his uncle Phil Napoleon, a trumpeter, in Phil's Original Memphis Five. In the 1950s he also worked with his brother Teddy Napoleon, a pianist, and from 1966 to 1971 he performed with Armstrong again.[3] One highlight of his work with Armstrong was a swing version of "Sunrise, Sunset", from the musical Fiddler on the Roof.[4] Napoleon was born Matthew Napoli in Brooklyn to Sicilian immigrants; he later legally changed his name.[4]

Discography

As leader

As sideman

References

  1. ^ "Marty Napoleon Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b Slotnik, Daniel E. (1 May 2015). "Marty Napoleon, 93, Dies; Jazz Pianist Played With Louis Armstrong". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  3. ^ Yanow, Scott. "Marty Napoleon". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  4. ^ a b Bernstein, Adam (2015-04-30). "Marty Napoleon, vivacious jazz pianist for Louis Armstrong, dies at 93". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
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