April Jazz Musician of the Month

Joseph Gustaf "Sharkey" Bonano (April 9, 1904-March 27th, 1972)

Bonano represents part of an unfairly unrecognized but rich in quantity, Italian-American community that contributed to early New Orleans Jazz. Bonano's first cornet was previously owned by another famous NO cornetist: Buddie Petit.

In the 1920's Bonano worked with Eddie Edwards (ODJB trombonist), Chink Martin (veteran bass player associated with the Reliance Brass Band, Papa Jack Laine, and later, the New Orleans Rhythm Kings), Monk Hazel, and most notably the clarinetist, Sidney Arodin. Bonano was one of the first auditioned to replace Bix Beiderbecke in the Wolverines orchestra but did not get the job. Did work with pianist Jimmy Durante and briefly (but did not record with) Jean Goldkette. Led own band on the S.S. Island Queen and co-led a band with trumpeter Leon Prima, Louis's brother

After a brief leave from music in the 1930's, Sharkey Bonano led bands in New Orleans. Worked with Ben Pollack in 1936, and from 1936-1939, led and recorded with his Sharks of Rhythm. During this period, replaced Nick Larocca on one ODJB recording session.

After serving in the Coast Guard, Bonano returned to New Orleans and began a long tenure as leader of the Kings of Dixieland, a group which featured veterans like Chink Martin, Monk Hazel, trombonist Santo Pecora, pianist Armand Hug. Appeared on Art Ford's Jazz Party in 1958. Despite occasional touring to New York and Chicago, Bonano performed regularly in New Orleans until illness forced his retirement shortly before his death in 1972.

Sources:
Chilton, John. Who's Who In Jazz. DaCapo Press. Revised 1985
Sudhalter, Richard M. Lost Chords: White Musicians and Their Contributions to Jazz, 1915-1945. Oxford University Press. 1999

Lord, Tom et al. The Jazz Discography. CD-Rom. Lord Music Reference, Inc. 1992-2002.