Trumpeter/vocalist Nat Gonella (1908-1999) was a larger-than-life figure much influenced by Louis Armstrong. He first made his name with the dance bands of Lew Stone, Ray Noble and Billy Cotton - often as a featured trumpet soloist and a singer specialising in novelty numbers. His own band, the Georgian, were extremely popular and featured strong sidemen like saxophonists Pat Smuts and Albert Torrance, singer/guitarist Jimmy Mesene, and bassist Tiny Winters. In the 1940s, he reformed the band with a different line-up as the New Georgians. Gonella was much admired by the younger generation of musicians who found success in the traditional jazz movement of the 1950s especially Humprey Lyttelton. He continued to perform until shortly before his death at 90 and had a hit in Holland in his 70s with a re-recording of the Georgians' 'Oh Monah'.
Find Out More:
British Jazz on YouTube: Nat Gonella
Recommended Recordings
Confessin'
Naturally Gonella
Vocation
