Pete Candoli

Pete Candoli (b. June 28, Mishawaka, 1923 – Studio City, California, January 11, 2008) – Trumpet player. After getting his start professional start by playing lead for Sunny Dunham’s Orchestra while still a teenager, Pete Candoli made an impact on the jazz world with his powerful high playing while a member of Woody Herman’s First Herd, starting in 1944. At one time, he was considered second only to Duke Ellington’s Cat Anderson in stretching out solos in a high register. Following his swing years, which also included work with Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Les Brown, and Charlie Barnet, he became part of the West Coast jazz scene, where his playing mellowed somewhat. For many years, he was a highly sought after studio musician, as his playing figured prominently in the recordings of West Side Story, Mancini’s Peter Gunn albums, and vocal performances featuring Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra. Overall, Pete Candoli was a very versatile player, adept at jazz, pop, and classical. As a testament to his reputation, he was voted trumpet player of the year at some point in his career by Downbeat and Metronome.