Vito Price (born Vito Pizzo in 1929) is an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

jazz saxophonist. He is best known for his album ''Swingin' the Loop'' recorded in January 1959, although on-line discographer Tom Lord says in The Jazz Discography that it was recorded in Chicago on 20 January 1958. His second leadership album was '''S Wonderful'' released in 2003.

Biography

Price was born in 1929 in

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

. At the age of 14 he began playing the

alto The musical term alto, meaning "high" in Italian (Latin: ''altus''), historically refers to the contrapuntal part higher than the tenor and its associated vocal range. In 4-part voice leading alto is the second-highest part, sung in choruses by ...

and tenor saxophones. Price played with New York jazz groups while at high school. After leaving high school he played with the bands of Bob Chester,

Art Mooney Arthur Joseph Mooney (February 11, 1911 – September 9, 1993) was an American singer and bandleader. His biggest hits were "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover" and "Baby Face" in 1948 and " Nuttin' For Christmas," with Barry Gordon, in 1955. ...

, Tony Pastor, and Chubby Jackson. In 1951, Price joined the marines, spending two years in the Marine Corps Band. After that, he spent two years studying at the Manhattan Music School. While studying, he played as a part of Jerry Wald's band. Price moved to Chicago in 1955, joining the WGN station's staff orchestra in 1956. In the same year, he recorded ''Swingin' the Loop.'' After releasing the album, Price left WGN and moved back to New York to play with Tony Pastor and Al Cohn, as well as recording multiple albums with Chubby Jackson. In 1958, Price played as part of a quartet for a Thanksgiving concert at

Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall ( ) is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. It is at 881 Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh Avenue, occupying the east side of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street (Manhattan), 56th and 57th Street (Manhatta ...

. The quartet was accompanying

Chris Connor Mary Jean Loutsenhizer, known professionally as Chris Connor (November 8, 1927 – August 29, 2009) was an American jazz singer. Biography Chris Connor was born Mary Loutsenhizer in Kansas City, Missouri, to Clyde Loutsenhizer and Mabel Shir ...

. The act was later invited into Eliot Lawrence's radio show. Price rejoined Tony Pastor in 1959 to go to Las Vegas. He stayed at the

Stardust Hotel The Stardust Resort and Casino was a casino resort located on along the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada. The Stardust was conceived by Tony Cornero, and construction began in 1954. Cornero died in 1955, and the project was taken over by his ...

during this time. Price stayed in Vegas for 30 years, playing in bands of the time's famous performers. He later moved to Palm Desert where he stayed for another 30 years. During that time, Price played with the likes of Ted Herman, Tony Rose, Pat Rizzo, and

Tommy Shepard Thomas M. Shepard (March 31, 1923 – February 23, 1993) was an American trombonist who worked extensively in both Chicago and Hollywood as a regular recording artist for the top recording, television, and film studios. He had a trombone sound ...

. Price recorded his second album in 2003: ''It’s Wonderful.'' It was recorded under his birth name Vito Pizzo. He has since retired from playing due to disability.

Swingin' the Loop

''Swingin' the Loop'' (according to the sleeve, or ''Swinging the Loop'' according to the label) was released by Argo Records (catalogue number LP 631) with cover art by Don Bronstein. A 7" single was released with ''Time After Time'' as the A side, and ''Swingin' the Loops'' as side B (Argo Records 5307). The tracks were arranged by Bill McRea.

Track list

*''Swinging The Loop'' (2:35) *''Mousey's Tune'' (2:55) *''

Why Was I Born? "Why Was I Born?" is a 1929 song composed by Jerome Kern, with lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II. It was written for the show '' Sweet Adeline'' (1929) and introduced by Helen Morgan. Popular recordings in 1930 were by Helen Morgan and by ...

'' (2:43) *''Duddy'' (3:25) *'' In a Mellow Tone'' (3:30) *''Eye Strain'' (2:47) *'' Time After Time'' (2:55) *'' Beautiful Love'' (3:15) *''Credo''(3:12) *'' As Long as I Live'' (4:25)

Personnel

*Vito Price - tenor saxophone * Lou Levy - piano * Freddie Green - guitar * Max Bennett - double bass * Gus Johnson -

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

References

External links

Price at Jazz Profiles
{{DEFAULTSORT:Price, Vito Living people 1929 births American jazz tenor saxophonists American male saxophonists American jazz alto saxophonists American jazz musicians 21st-century American saxophonists 21st-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians Argo Records artists