Left to right: Don Varella, Stan Johnson, Marty Napoleon,
Fraser MacPherson. Penthouse, Vancouver, B.C. April 4, 1952. Photo courtesy of the Fraser MacPherson estate
Marty Napoleon (June 2, 1921 – April 27, 2015)[1] was an American
jazz pianist.[2] He replaced
Earl Hines in
Louis Armstrong's All Stars band in 1952.[2] In 1946 he worked with
Gene Krupa and went on to work with his uncle
Phil Napoleon, a trumpeter, in Phil's
Original Memphis Five. In the 1950s he also worked with his brother
Teddy Napoleon, a pianist, and from 1966 to 1971 he performed with Armstrong again.[3] One highlight of his work with Armstrong was a swing version of "Sunrise, Sunset", from the musical Fiddler on the Roof.[4] Napoleon was born Matthew Napoli in Brooklyn to Sicilian immigrants; he later legally changed his name.[4]
Discography
As leader
Marty Napoleon Swings and Sings (
Bethlehem, 1955)
Marty Napoleon and His Music (Stere-o-Craft, 1958)
The Napoleon Brothers: A Rare Musical Vintage (Herald, 1958)
Lionel Hampton Presents: Who's Who In Jazz Louis Armstrong Alumni (
Who's Who in Jazz, 1977)