Biography

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Prima La Famiglia Description
“A standing ovation . . . Lena has the panache of her father.” – The Chicago Tribune

Lena Prima, the daughter of the famed New Orleans trumpeter/vocalist, Louis Prima, has become the newest addition to the exclusive roster of artists on the award-winning Basin Street Records. Prima joins ranks with artists such as Kermit Ruffins, Rebirth Brass Band, Dr. Michael White, and Jason Marsalis on the 21-year old powerhouse label based in New Orleans. A seasoned veteran of the music industry, vocalist Prima has made over 3,000 musical appearances around the world throughout her career. Born in Las Vegas, but now residing and regularly performing in New Orleans, Prima is rooted in the music of the Crescent City, and in the words of Basin Street Records’ founder and president, Mark Samuels, she’s a perfect fit on the label.
The partnership commences with the release of Prima’s new album, Prima La Famiglia. The heart of the album is in the title: Family. A proud Italian-American and longtime advocate of the Italian-American community, Prima set out to make an album of quintessential songs for the Italian-American family. In her own words, “It’s the music that Italian-Americans grew up with back in the 40s that carried on throughout generations. They played this music in their family homes, at Sunday dinners, weddings, and they are just beloved songs.” Lena Prima further solidifies the family theme with the fact that every track on the album (save the classic traditional Sicilian folk song “Cu Ti Lu Dissi”) was at one time performed by her late father, Louis Prima. While Prima La Famiglia pays tribute to her father in this way, Lena offers fresh interpretations and a vocal style that are all her own bolstered by new, lush arrangements and orchestrations from Lawrence Sieberth that give the album an overall feel of class and polish. Fans of Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, and Frank Sinatra take note, there’s a new name to list in the halls of great classic singers: Lena Prima!
Prima La Famiglia will be available on all major digital platforms and stores that sell fine music on January 18, 2019.


Track Listing
1. Come On A My House (3:44)
2. Felicia No Capicia (3:35)
3. Oh Marie (4:12)
4. Topolino (4:08)
5. Pensate Amore (3:53)
6. Darktown Strutters’ Ball (4:24)
7. Josephine Please Don’t Lean On The Bell (3:16)
8. Cu Ti Lu Dissi (4:27)
9. Please No Squeeza Da Banana (3:29)
10. See That You’re Born An Italian (3:03)
11. Chi Baba, Chi Baba (3:14)

Personnel
Vocals: Lena Prima
Piano: Lawrence Sieberth
Acoustic Bass: Danny O’Lannerghty
Drums: Scott Williamson
Trumpets: Steve Patrick, Mike Haynes
Trombones: Barry Green, Roy Agee
Woodwinds: Sam Levine, Jeff Coffin, Jimmy Bowland
Violins: David Davidson, David Angell, Conni Ellisor, Karen Winkelmann, Janet Darnall, Jenny Bifano
Violas: Monisa Angell, Elizabeth Lamb, Chris Ferrell, Clare Yang
Cellos: Carole Rabinowitz, Anthony Lamarchina
All Saxophone solos: Jeff Coffin
Clarinet Solo on “Topolino”: Sam Levine
Guest Trumpet on “Cu Ti Lu Dissi” and “Pensate Amore”: Andrea Giuffredi*
Guest Vocal Duet on “See That You’re Born An Italian”: John Viola
Gang Vocals on “Topolino”: Tim Fahey, John Viola

Credits
Produced by Lena Prima, Lawrence Sieberth and Scott Williamson
Executive Producer: John Viola, Glen & Kay Evans
Arranged and Orchestrated by Lawrence Sieberth
Arrangements of “Come On A My House”, “See That You’re Born An Italian” and “Darktown Strutters’ Ball” by Lawrence Sieberth and Lena Prima
Rhythm Section & Vocals recorded by Andy Waterman at Watershed Studios, Nashville, TN
Brass & Woodwinds recorded by Andy Waterman at Layman Drug Company, Nashville, TN
Strings recorded by Bobby Shin at The Library, Nashville, TN
Mixed by Scott Williamson at The Carpal Tunnel, Spring Hill, TN
Mastered by John Mayfield at Mayfield Mastering, Nashville, TN
Photography and Makeup: Shawn Flint Blair, PhotographyByShawn.com
Artwork: Sonia Miller – Sure Wave, MySureWave.com
*Maestro Giuffreddi is a Yamaha Performing Artist, Big Toots Enterprises/Nick Mondello, Consultant | www.andreagiufreddi.com
Basin Street Records, 5500 Prytania St #110, New Orleans, LA 70115. 504-483-0002. info@basinstreetrecords.com
www.basinstreetrecords.com. Facebook: BasinStreetRecords. Twitter: @BasinStRecords. Instagram: BasinStRecords
www.lenaprima.com. Facebook: LenaPrimaOfficial. Twitter: @LenaPrima. Instagram: @LenaPrima
BSR 1701-2
UPC: 652905170120
© ℗ 2019 Lena Prima Productions. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

Special Thanks
Viola Family Foundation, The Viola Family, CIAO Women! Inc., Italian American Power Hour, Tim Fahey, Antoine Diel, Ming Sieberth, Bill Grimes, Cathy Quartararo, Pat Geraci, Frankie Scinta, Patrick O’Boyle

Liner Note
Ciao! As far back as I can remember, I have been hearing Italian songs that my father, the great Louis Prima, and others sang. They were the background to Sunday dinners and holiday celebrations. I am a proud Italian American and recorded this album in a classic style to honor these wonderful songs. I hope you enjoy. Salute!
- Lena Prima

TourDates

Lena Prima Bio
With five albums to her credit, award-winning singer, artist and author Lena Prima is the youngest daughter of the legendary Louis Prima and his singing sidekick, (and fifth wife) Gia Maione. Lena was born in Las Vegas, but spent much of her childhood in New Orleans, where she resides today. She began her musical career at the age of four, appearing on stage with her parents, but continued to study and perform in high school and college. Her more than 30 year musical career has included more than 3,000 appearances around the world. In New Orleans she can be found regularly performing at the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter.

A passionate advocate for the Italian American Community, Lena has received numerous awards for her work on behalf of her Italian heritage. Lena has founded the non-profit organization, CIAO Women! The organization celebrates exceptional female Italians who make a positive difference in their communities.

When Lena is not on stage, she can often be found in her art studio, creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. Her designs and her recently published jewelry how-to book, Wanderlust, are available at www.lenaprimajewelry.com.

In October of 2018, Lena Prima signed with Basin Street Records to release Prima La Famiglia, a collection of classic songs from the Italian-American songbook with new orchestrations and arrangements.

More information on Lena can be found on her website www.lenaprima.com.