Al Porcino

Al Porcino (May 14, 1925 – December 31, 2013) was an American lead trumpeter.

He was born in New York, United States. Porcino began playing professionally in 1943, and played in many of the big bands of the 1940s and 1950s, including those of Georgie Auld, Louis Prima, Jerry Wald, Tommy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, and Chubby Jackson. He played with Woody Herman in 1946, 1949-1950, 1954, and 1972. He also did two stints with Stan Kenton, in 1947-48 and 1954-55. In the 1950s, he played with Pete Rugolo, Count Basie, Elliot Lawrence, and Charlie Barnet.

In 1957, he moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a studio musician. While there he played in the Terry Gibbs Dream band from 1959 to 1962. In the 1960s, he often played in orchestras backing vocalists, and also played with Buddy Rich in 1968, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis in 1969-70. In the 1970s, he formed his own big band, who recorded behind Mel Torme, in addition to their own work.

In the 1970s, Porcino moved to Germany, leading big bands there for two decades. His ensemble played on one of Al Cohn's final recordings in 1987.

He died after suffering a fall in Munich on December 31, 2013.

Birth and Death Data: Born May 14, 1925 (New York City), Died December 31, 2013 (Munich)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1952 - 1959

Roles Represented in DAHR: trumpet

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 82605 4/3/1952 Everytime Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 82606 4/3/1952 Lonesome and blue Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 82607 4/3/1952 Sure thing Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 82608 4/3/1952 Why not? Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 82694 4/17/1952 You're the cream in my coffee Jerry Wald Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 82695 4/17/1952 The thrill is gone Jerry Wald Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 82696 4/17/1952 Cherokee (Indian love song) Jerry Wald Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 82697 4/17/1952 Pennies from heaven Jerry Wald Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 82698 4/17/1952 Raisins and almonds Jerry Wald Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 82699 4/17/1952 Terremoto Jerry Wald Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 84293 4/8/1953 Cheerful little earful Terry Gibbs Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 84294 4/8/1953 I may be wrong Terry Gibbs Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 84295 4/8/1953 Swinging the Robert A.G. (Waitin' for the R.A.G.) Terry Gibbs Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 84296 4/8/1953 Lollypop Terry Gibbs Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10060 4/25/1957 Bright eyes Bill Holman Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10061 4/25/1957 You and I Bill Holman Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10062 4/25/1957 Evil eyes Bill Holman Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10063 4/29/1957 Airegin Bill Holman Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10064 4/29/1957 Come rain or come shine Bill Holman Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 10065 4/29/1957 The big street Bill Holman Orchestra instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11540 5/29/1959 The claw Les Brown and his Band of Renown instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca L 11541 5/29/1959 Apple honey Les Brown and his Band of Renown instrumentalist, trumpet  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Porcino, Al," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/338142.

Porcino, Al. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/338142.

"Porcino, Al." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 23 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/338142

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