Carl Ravazza

Carl Ravazza, c. 1943

Carl Ravazza (July 21, 1910 – July 28, 1968), also known professionally as Carl Ravell,[1] was an American violinist, vocalist and bandleader.

Born in Alameda, California, Ravazza was a violinist who also started singing when he was in the Anson Weeks Orchestra.[2] He was later the lead violinist with Tom Coakley when he took over that band upon Coakley's retirement from the music business.[3] The Carl Ravazza or Carl Ravell Orchestra, with the theme song "Vieni Su", performed mainly in hotel venues in several cities in the United States.[4] Ravazza later became a solo singer,[5] settling in Reno, Nevada[6] where he co-founded the Nevada Entertainment Agency in 1960.[7]

Ravazza's 1937 version of "So Rare" may be the earliest recording of the song, although it is unclear whether it was the first released version. Recorded on June 4, 1937, it was released under the name of Carl Ravell and His Orchestra.[8][9]

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "Ravazza Dance Orchestra Will Be Here Friday", San Jose News, August 31, 1938, p.13, archived at news.google.com, retrieved November 2, 2011: Carl Ravazza... returning from a Nationwide tour with his orchestra under the name of Carl Ravell
  2. ↑ Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, December 3, 1941, page 10; and April 8, 1942, page 11 archived at news.google.com, retrieved November 4, 2011
  3. ↑ "Swing Music on Wane, says Carl Ravell" Milwaukee Sentinel, May 30, 1937, p.R7, archived at news.google.com, retrieved November 2, 2011
  4. ↑ Carl Ravazza biography by I.S.Mowis at Internet Movie Database, retrieved November 2, 2011
  5. ↑ Review of an early solo appearance, Billboard, August 18, 1945, p.27, archived at books.google.com, retrieved November 3, 2011,
  6. ↑ "New Song In Skyroom", Reno Evening Gazette, December 10, 1953, p.3, digitalized page at NewspaperArchive.com retrieved November 3, 2011
  7. ↑ Carl Ravazza obituary, Reno Evening Gazette, July 29, 1968 p.2, digitalized page at NewspaperArchive.com retrieved November 4, 2011
  8. ↑ Online (78rpm) Discographical Project session listings for Melotron and Conqueror
  9. ↑ Online (78rpm) Discographical Project: listings of "So Rare" since 1937

External links

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