The Search For Success
After dropping out of high school, Prima desperately wanted to make it big. He had a few unsuccessful gigs, including when he joined the Ellis Stratako Orchestra in 1929. Prima, Federico and saxophonist Dave Winstein drove all the way to Florida for a gig and no one showed up. Luckily they made it to a relative's house, where they were given money for gas and a meal. Prima did not give up. He joined Joseph Cherniavsky's Orchestra in 1929 at Jefferson Parish. He was quite the performer and stood out. This may have been what made Cherniavsky fire him shortly after. Prima was upset, but knew he would be a success. He got a temporary job playing on Steamship Capital that docked on Canal Street.
Although the Steamship Capital did not provide him with a break, he met his first wife Louise Polizzi. They married on June 25, 1929. From 1931 to 1932 Louis occupied his time by performing in the Avalon Club owned by his brother Leon. His first break was when Lou Forbes hired him for daily afternoon and early evening shows at The Saenger. He quickly became the most popular musician in the orchestra next to Forbes himself. With success came a very good check, enough to support his taste in fashion, his wife, and new baby.
Read more about this topic: Louis Prima
Famous quotes containing the words search and/or success:
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