About
Respected musician who was one of the first bop pianists. He wrote Lemon Drop and Godchild, both bop standards.
Before Fame
He joined Dizzy Gillespie's combo in 1943, which was the first bop group to gain exposure on New York's 52nd Street.
Trivia
He retired in 1960 and began working in his family's air-conditioning business. He would emerge 24 years later with three albums of newly composed material.
Family Life
His family relocated from Sicily to the United States in 1925.
Associated With
He toured with Lionel Hampton's big band in 1953.
