Santo Pecora
Encyclopedia
Santo Pecoraro, better known as Santo Pecora (March 21, 1902, New Orleans - May 29, 1984, New Orleans) was an American jazz
trombonist known for his longtime association with the New Orleans jazz
scene.
Pecora distinguished his name because his cousin, a drummer, was also named Santo Pecoraro. The two sometimes performed in ensembles together. Pecora began on French horn but settled on trombone as a teenager. He played in orchestras accompanying silent film
s as well as with the bandleaders Johnny De Droit and Leon Roppolo
. He toured with singer Bee Palmer
early in the 1920s, then joined the New Orleans Rhythm Kings
in the middle of the decade.
He moved to Chicago
late in the decade, playing both in jazz bands and in theater palaces, then became a big band
sideman in the 1930s. He toured with Sharkey Bonano
in the 1930s, then played with Wingy Manone
in California
. In the 1940s he returned to New Orleans, where he continued working with Bonano in addition to regular gigs on riverboat
s and at nightclub
s. He remained a staple of the local scene into the 1960s.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trombonist known for his longtime association with the New Orleans jazz
New Orleans Jazz
New Orleans Jazz may refer to:*Dixieland, a style of jazz music*New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park*Utah Jazz, a professional National Basketball Association franchise that was previously based in New Orleans and known as the New Orleans Jazz, in recognition of the jazz music of New Orleans*A...
scene.
Pecora distinguished his name because his cousin, a drummer, was also named Santo Pecoraro. The two sometimes performed in ensembles together. Pecora began on French horn but settled on trombone as a teenager. He played in orchestras accompanying silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
s as well as with the bandleaders Johnny De Droit and Leon Roppolo
Leon Roppolo
Leon Roppolo was a prominent early jazz clarinetist, best known for his playing with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. Roppolo also played saxophone and guitar. Roppolo married Mabel Alice Branchard on 17 May 1920 in New Orleans...
. He toured with singer Bee Palmer
Bee Palmer
Bee Palmer , was a United States singer and dancer. She was born Beatrice C. Palmer in Chicago.Palmer first attracted significant attention as one of the first exponents of the "shimmy" dance in the late 1910s...
early in the 1920s, then joined the New Orleans Rhythm Kings
New Orleans Rhythm Kings
The New Orleans Rhythm Kings were one of the most influential jazz bands of the early-to-mid 1920s. The band was a combination of New Orleans and Chicago musicians who helped shape Chicago Jazz and influenced many younger jazz musicians....
in the middle of the decade.
He moved to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
late in the decade, playing both in jazz bands and in theater palaces, then became a big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
sideman in the 1930s. He toured with Sharkey Bonano
Sharkey Bonano
Joseph "Sharkey" Bonano was a jazz trumpeter, band leader, and vocalist....
in the 1930s, then played with Wingy Manone
Wingy Manone
Wingy Manone was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, singer, and bandleader. His major recordings included "Tar Paper Stomp", "Nickel in the Slot", "Downright Disgusted Blues", "There'll Come a Time ", and "Tailgate Ramble".- Biography :Manone was born Joseph Matthews Mannone in New Orleans,...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In the 1940s he returned to New Orleans, where he continued working with Bonano in addition to regular gigs on riverboat
Riverboat
A riverboat is a ship built boat designed for inland navigation on lakes, rivers, and artificial waterways. They are generally equipped and outfitted as work boats in one of the carrying trades, for freight or people transport, including luxury units constructed for entertainment enterprises, such...
s and at nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s. He remained a staple of the local scene into the 1960s.