Born: December 7, 1910, New Orleans, LA

Died: August 24, 1978, New Orleans, LA

The first time I remember hearing the name Louis Prima was in 1978, when I read a letter to the editor in The Times-Picayune lamenting the lack of appreciation the city had shown for its recently deceased son.

The writer had a point. There was no jazz funeral, no statues proposed or dedicated, no Louis Prima Day with parades and proclamations. Nothing. It was as ...