Trumpeter Tommy Porrello has played with some of the great names in Las Vegas entertainment. Now in his 70s, he's still playing the horn. He speaks about his career with Review-Journal columnist John L. Smith.
Was that Tommy on the original Frank Sinatra recording of Luck Be A Lady Tonight? That was, for me, the most awsome four bars I've ever heard. The pitch, sound, projection, was PERFECT! I've played with Snooky AND Cat Anderson, but man that brings tears to my eyes.Carl Randall –Nov 28, 2012 08:25:40 AM
I first ran into Tommy at the Great Lakes Boot Camp of the USN. We were fellow trumpet players in the boot camp band (required membership for musician strickers) Of course Tommy was at least twice as good as anyone else in that group. After boot camp we met again for a short time at the Naval School of Music in Washington DC. He entertained the school musicians quite often during noon time playing high, low and always with a winning quality to his performance. Tommy went to the Naval Academy band and the next time I saw him was in March of 1969 when I turned 21 and Tommy came down to the school to take me out to dinner to celebrate my 21 birthday, what a great friend.I saw him one more time, which was after the service for both of us, he was on a summer tour with Stan Kenton. I would love to hear from him after all of these years.
Bob King –Nov 9, 2010 18:04:56 PM
I took lessons with Tommy's father I hope Tommy is doing well as a young man i remember playing No 9 Caderna withe the Charlie Porello Band Harry H Horning –Sep 14, 2010 06:04:50 AM
