June 28, 1923 – January 11, 2008

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Trumpeter Pete Candoli was born on June 28, 1923 in Mishawaka, Indiana.

He joined the musician’s union at 13 and went on to play in a number well known orchestras
including Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey Woody Herman, Les Brown and Stan Kenton.

He also backed Peggy Lee, Henry Mancini, and Frank Sinatra and was much in demand for studio work.

His best known solo appears in the “Dance at the Gym” sequence in the film West Side Story.

In 1940 he was a member of Sonny Dunham’s band before joining Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra, a band with whom he would appear in the films “Upbeat In Music” and “Girl Crazy” in 1943.

Pete Candoli initially collaborated with his younger brother and fellow trumpeter Conte during a brief stint with the Teddy Powell band.

By the late ’40s he was working with groups that included the “Stan Kenton Orchestra” in coming years would become a highly sought after soloist appearing on recordings of singers including Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee.

In 1957 Pete and his brother Conte formed the “Candoli Brothers” continuing together until 1962.

Pete Candoli was additional a featured performer on both of Henry Mancini’s “Peter Gunn” albums.

Pete Candoli is featured in performance filmed during the early 1980s.

Personnel:

Pete Candoli, trumpet
Conte Candoli, trumpet
Ross Tompkins, piano
Joe Diorio, guitar
Monty Budwig, bass
Chiz Harris, drums

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