| Louis Prima Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Louis Prima Jr. |
| Born | June 16, 1965 |
| Origin | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| Genres | Jazz Swing Traditional pop |
| Occupations | Singer, Entertainer, Trumpeter, Bandleader |
| Instruments | vocals, trumpet, drums, piano |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Associated acts | Sarah Spiegel The Witnesses |
| Website | Official website |
Louis Prima Jr. (born June 16, 1965) is a Las Vegas-based entertainer best known for carrying on the legacy of his father Louis Prima, the original "King of Swing."
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Born on Father's Day in 1965, he is the youngest child of Louis Prima and Gia Maione Prima, and is Louis Prima’s only son. He has one older full sister, Lena Prima, and several half sisters from his father’s previous marriages.
Destined to follow his father's musical greatness, Louis Jr. began his musical career with drums at the mere age of five. At eight, he began to learn the piano. His piano instructor was also his aunt, Sister Mary Ann, a nun. By the time high school rolled around, Prima Jr. was becoming a virtuoso of many musical instruments, including trumpet and guitar.[1]
His introduction to stage also came at age five, when his father brought him onstage to sing Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World", along with sister Lena. Follow up visits onstage included such songs as, "Your Mama Don't Dance", and "On Top of Spaghetti".[2]
Despite his rich musical background, when Louis Jr. graduated high school he had his sights set on a business degree and a career in finance, and this continued until he was 22 years old. Louis was singing rock songs with his sister Lena's band in the mid eighties when he was bitten by the music bug again. "After singing several times with my sister and the Witnesses, I had to return." He left college and went back to performing full time.
In 1987 he formed Problem Child, a rock band, in which he was the lead singer and songwriter. Pursuing the rock n' roll dream of a recording contract, Prima's band opened for the likes of Winger. But with the onset of grunge music in the early 90's, labels wanted him to write and perform in the vein of Pearl Jam, etc. At that point Louis decided to give up on the record business.
"I decided that rock and depression was not what I was about, and opted to make a career (out) of performing my father’s music in 1995. I haven’t looked back since." [3]
In 1995, Louis decided to go back to his roots...his father's music. With the help of his sister Lena and the musical direction of Prima Sr.'s old B-3 player, Louis Jr. began to put together a tribute to his father's popular Vegas show. He eventually decided the timing was not quite right, however.
In ensuing years, Louis worked part time as a Food and Beverage manager in various places, ending up as Acting Assistant General Manager for HMS Host at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Ultimately, Louis Jr.’s insatiable need to be on stage full time, his love of music and a desire to protect his father’s legacy led him to quit his day job and The Witnesses were reborn.
Louis has continued to tour internationally, bringing his father's legend to life. On December 7th, 2010, Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses performed in honor of Louis Prima's 100th birthday on Fremont Street's 1st street stage in old Las Vegas. The show was a huge success, garnering the attention of such notables as Robin Leach among others. Shortly before then, on December 4th, Louis Jr was seen in New Orleans where he attended the dedication of a statue in his father's honor.
On July 25, 2010 Louis Prima Jr., singer Sarah Spiegel, and the Witnesses were in Hollywood for an historic occasion: Louis Prima's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [4] on 1617 Vine Street.[5] Louis Jr. and his sister Lena were on hand to accept the star on their father's behalf, followed by a tribute show to their father. In the year Louis Sr. would have become a centenarian, his son Louis Jr. showed the world that the time is indeed right for a resurgence in big band and swing...and Louis Jr. the one to make the world stand ready to "Jump, Jive an' Wail."
Louis Prima Jr. is divorced and has two children, Jacob and Anthony. Anthony has been seen on stage singing with his father, carrying on the family legacy.
Louis Prima Jr. is currently working in the studio on his first album, which will contain covers of his father’s hit songs.