Pete Candoli, born Walter Joseph Candoli in Mishawaka, Indiana June 28, 1923, began his professional career as a jazz trumpeter at the age of 13 when he became a member of the American Federation of Musicians. Pete started with the Sonny Durham Band in 1940 then between 1941 and 1944 played with Will Bradley, Benny Goodman, Ray McKinley, Tommy Dorsey, Freddie Slack and Charlie Barnet. In 1944 Pete began a two year association with Woody Herman. It was with Herman he became known as a “powerful and flamboyant soloist” displaying stamina and high note prowess when he appeared on stage at the end of the tune “Apple Honey” in a homemade Superman costume and “cut loose scorching, dissonant flurries of high notes.” After Herman, Pete played with Tex Beneke (1947-1949) and Jerry Gray (1950-1951) before moving to Los Angeles where he played with Les Brown (1952), Stan Kenton (1954-1956) and Glen Gray (1956-1963) and began a successful stint as a studio musician. As a studio musician he became a frequent collaborator of many influential musicians and performers including Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Henry Mancini and Frank Sinatra. Pete also worked on numerous film and television soundtracks most notably as part of the Henry Mancini ensemble that provided the jazz based score for the television show “Peter Gunn.” One of Pete’s frequent collaborators was younger brother Conte, also a well-known and well-respected jazz trumpeter. The Candoli Brothers formed a band in 1957 and would continue to perform and record together off and on throughout the next four decades. During his career, Pete accumulated 301 recording credits either as a conductor, arranger, composer, or performer including credits as a guest and featured artist. He was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997, the Big Band Hall of Fame in 2003 and won the Down Beat, Metronome, Esquire “All American Band Trumpet Bronze Award.” Look magazine named him one of seven all-time outstanding jazz trumpet players with others receiving the honor including legends Louis Armstrong, Harry James and Dizzy Gillespie. Pete Candoli died January 11, 2008 at his home in Studio City, California at the age of 84.

References Bowers, Jack. Pete Candoli. www.allaboutjazz.com Ginell, Richard S. Pete Candoli. www.allmusic.com. Keepnews, Peter. Pete Candoli, Trumpeter and Studio Musician, Dies at 84. January 23, 2008. www.nytimes.com. Kernfeld, Frederick A. Beck and Barry Kernfeld. Pete Cabndoli. www.oxfordmusiconline.com.