Leon Prima

The older brother of Louis Prima, Leon Prima was overshadowed throughout his career by his sibling, although he was a talented trumpet soloist too. He started out on piano before switching to trumpet. Leon worked in his early days with Leon Roppolo, Ray Bauduc, Jack Teagarden and Peck Kelley's Bad Boys (1925-27) in Texas. Leon led The Melody Masters in New Orleans during the late 1920s, was less active in the '30s and was with Louis' big band in New York from 1940-46. After returning to New Orleans, Leon headed his own combo until retiring in 1955 to work in real estate construction. Other than two titles from the Esquire Concert of 1945, Leon only led one recording date as a leader, resulting in four numbers that formed part of a 1954 Southland LP. ~ Scott Yanow