- Born
- Died
- Nat Gonella was born on March 7, 1908 in London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Swing Tease (1940), Variety (1936) and Jack Hylton Presents (1955). He died on August 6, 1998 in Gosport, Hampshire, England, UK.
- Pioneering English trumpet player, vocalist and band leader (Nat Gonella & His Georgians), who influenced many noted jazz musicians, including Kenny Ball and Humphrey Lyttleton. Gonella was himself heavily influenced by the style of Louis Armstrong, whom he emulated.
- Initially studied cornet, later adding trumpet, violin and clarinet to his repertoire.
- Gonella joined the British Army in 1941, serving with the Pioneer Corps and the Royal Tank Regiment in North Africa and Italy. After the war, he formed a new band, the 'New Georgians', touring dance halls, theatres and variety clubs. After an abortive directional change towards bebop, Gonella disbanded. In 1960, his reorganised Georgia Jazz Band debuted at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, beginning a successful comeback.
- During the time Gonella played with the orchestra of Roy Fox (1931) at the Monseignor Restaurant, the Prince of Wales was a frequent patron. His favorite tune, "Georgia On My Mind", was a Gonella specialty and over the years became his theme song and the title of his biography in 1985.
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