Louis Prima & Keely Smith

about

A popular husband & wife performing duo in the 1950's, Louis Prima & Keely Smith had numerous hit records, starred on television programs and had a long running stint in Las Vegas before divorcing and breaking up the act. Before teaming up with Keely Smith, Prima was already a popular trumpet player, singer and consumate SHOWMAN for over a decade who'd already been married three times. He had scored success by writing the swing anthem "Sing, Sing, Sing" a huge hit for for Benny Goodman, and scored with some novelty tunes for himself like "Robin Hood", "Bell Bottom Trousers" in 1945 and 1948's "Civilization (Bongo Bongo Bongo)". Prima had emerged from the New Orleans jazz scene, before starting a big band, and his charm & looks had him selling out major venues nationwide including drawing record crowds to New York's Paramount Theater. His records often played upon his Sicilian heritage, and novelty tracks included "Please No Squeeza Da Banana," and "Josephine, Please No Lean On The Bell." He was considered a bit philanderous, and dated numerous women even when married. The boisterous & colorful Italian-American performer had already operated a nightclub under the name the "Famous Door" in Los Angeles where he also began dating starlets & using show biz contacts to appear in some films alongside fellow performers like Bing Crosby. Dorothy Jacqueline Keely aka Keely Smith was discovered by Prima in Norfolk VA on tour in the late 1940's. She came up to the bandstand and won

top songs

albums

Greatest Hits

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Collector's Series

Wild Cool & Swingin' (disc 1)

Live From Las Vegas

Breaking It Up!

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Mob Hits III: Even More Music From The Great Mob Movies

The Best Of

Wild, Cool & Swingin'

Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 5: Wild Cool & Swingin

Capitol Collectors Series: Louis Prima

Great Ladies of Song / Spotlight On Keely Smith

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Jump, Jive An' Wail: The Essential

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