Tony Parenti
Encyclopedia
Tony Parenti was an American
jazz
clarinettist and saxophonist born in New Orleans, perhaps best-known for his decades of work in New York City.
in Papa Jack Laine
's band. In New Orleans he also worked with Johnny Dedroit. During his early teens Parenti worked with the Nick LaRocca
band. among other local acts. Parenti led his own band in New Orleans in the mid 1920s, making his first recordings there, before moving to New York City
at the end of the decade.
In the late 1920s, Parenti worked with Benny Goodman
and Fred Rich
, and later in the decade moved to New York City
full time where he worked through the 1930s as a CBS
staffman and as a member of the Radio City Symphony Orchestra.
From 1939-1945 Parenti, with Ted Lewis
's band, played alongside Muggsy Spanier
. In 1944, he recorded and appeared in concert with Sidney Bechet
and Max Miller in Chicago.
In the 1940s and still in New York City
, Parenti formed a Dixieland jazz
band called Tony Parenti and His New Orleanians, and which featured Wild Bill Davison
, Art Hodes
and Jimmy Archey
, among others. He often appeared at such New York jazz spots as Nick's and Jimmy Ryan's, and also worked with Eddie Condon
. Parenti remained active until the 1960s in clubs, and died in New York City
on April 17, 1972.
Over his career, Parenti recorded on the labels of Jazzology
, Southland
and Fat Cat
, among several others.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
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...
clarinettist and saxophonist born in New Orleans, perhaps best-known for his decades of work in New York City.
Biography
Parenti was a childhood musical prodigy, first on violin, then on clarinet. As a child he substituted for Alcide NunezAlcide Nunez
Alcide Patrick Nunez was an early United States jazz clarinetist. Also known as Yellow Nunez and Al Nunez, he was born in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana of an Isleño family and moved to New Orleans in his childhood.He initially played guitar, then switched to clarinet about 1902...
in Papa Jack Laine
Papa Jack Laine
George Vital "Papa Jack" Laine was a pioneering band leader in New Orleans in the years from the Spanish-American War to World War I....
's band. In New Orleans he also worked with Johnny Dedroit. During his early teens Parenti worked with the Nick LaRocca
Nick LaRocca
Dominic James "Nick" LaRocca , was an early jazz cornetist and trumpeter and the leader of the Original Dixieland Jass Band. He is the composer of one of the most recorded jazz classics of all-time, "Tiger Rag"...
band. among other local acts. Parenti led his own band in New Orleans in the mid 1920s, making his first recordings there, before moving to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
at the end of the decade.
In the late 1920s, Parenti worked with Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
and Fred Rich
Fred Rich
Frederic Efrem "Fred" Rich was a Polish-born American bandleader and composer who was active from the 1920s to the 1950s. Among the famous musicians in his band included the Dorsey Brothers, Joe Venuti, Bunny Berigan and Benny Goodman. In the early 1930s, Elmer Feldkamp was one of his...
, and later in the decade moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
full time where he worked through the 1930s as a CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
staffman and as a member of the Radio City Symphony Orchestra.
From 1939-1945 Parenti, with Ted Lewis
Ted Lewis (musician)
Theodore Leopold Friedman, better known as Ted Lewis , was an American entertainer, bandleader, singer, and musician. He led a band presenting a combination of jazz, hokey comedy, and schmaltzy sentimentality that was a hit with the American public. He was known by the moniker "Mr...
's band, played alongside Muggsy Spanier
Muggsy Spanier
Francis Joseph Julian "Muggsy" Spanier was a prominent cornet player based in Chicago. He was renowned as the best trumpet/cornet in Chicago until Bix Beiderbecke entered the scene....
. In 1944, he recorded and appeared in concert with Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.He was one of the first important soloists in jazz , and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist...
and Max Miller in Chicago.
In the 1940s and still in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Parenti formed a Dixieland jazz
Dixieland Jazz
Dixieland Jazz was a Canadian music television series which aired on CBC Television in 1954.-Premise:The series host was Trump Davidson, a cornet player. He also hosted a radio music series on CBC's Trans-Canada Network.-Scheduling:...
band called Tony Parenti and His New Orleanians, and which featured Wild Bill Davison
Wild Bill Davison
Wild' Bill Davison was a fiery jazz cornet player who emerged in the 1920s, but did not achieve recognition until the 1940s...
, Art Hodes
Art Hodes
Arthur W. Hodes , known professionally as Art Hodes, was an American jazz pianist.-Biography:...
and Jimmy Archey
Jimmy Archey
Jimmy Archey was an American jazz trombonist born in Norfolk, Virginia, perhaps most noteworthy for his work in several prominent jazz orchestras and big bands of his time . He performed and recorded with the James P...
, among others. He often appeared at such New York jazz spots as Nick's and Jimmy Ryan's, and also worked with Eddie Condon
Eddie Condon
Albert Edwin Condon , better known as Eddie Condon, was a jazz banjoist, guitarist, and bandleader. A leading figure in the so-called "Chicago school" of early Dixieland, he also played piano and sang on occasion....
. Parenti remained active until the 1960s in clubs, and died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on April 17, 1972.
Over his career, Parenti recorded on the labels of Jazzology
Jazzology Records
Jazzology Records is a United States based record label specializing in traditional jazz.Jazzology was founded in 1949 by George H. Buck, who still runs it, now under the auspices of the George H. Buck, Jr. Foundation, dedicated to the preservation great jazz recordings...
, Southland
Southland Records
Southland Records is a New Orleans, Louisiana based independent record label.Southland was founded c.1948 by Joeseph P. Mares. Mares was the an amateur jazz clarinetist, and the younger brother of noted jazz cornetist Paul Mares...
and Fat Cat
Fat Cat Records
Fat Cat Records is an independent label based in Brighton on England’s South Coast. Their output includes electronica, post rock, indie, downtempo, minimal techno, noise and punk-pop...
, among several others.
As leader
- Tony Parentiu & His Orleanians (Jazzology, 1949) with Wild Bill Davison, Jimmy Archey, Art Hodes, George „Pops“ Foster, Arthur Trappier
- Ragtime Jubilee (Jazzology)
- Ragtime! (Riverside RecordsRiverside RecordsRiverside Records was a United States record label specializing in jazz. Founded by Orrin Keepnews and Bill Grauer under his firm Bill Grauer Productions, Inc. in 1953, the label was a major presence in the jazz record industry for a decade...
205) - Tony Parenti & His Downtown Boys (Jazzology, 1955-65 with Dick WellstoodDick WellstoodRichard MacQueen "Dick" Wellstood was an American jazz pianist...
, Armand HugArmand HugArmand Hug was an American jazz pianist.Hug was based out of New Orleans for most of his life, having begun playing professionally at age 13. He played with Harry Shields in 1926, with the New Orleans Owls in 1928, and with Sharkey Bonano in 1936... - The Final Bar (Jazzology, 1971) with Max KaminskyMax KaminskyMax Kaminsky was a professional ice hockey center who played 3 seasons in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Eagles, Boston Bruins and Montreal Maroons. Following his retirement he was the long time coach for the Pittsburgh Hornets until the team disbanded from 1957-1961 at which point...
, Charlie Bornemann, Bobby Pratt