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Lena Prima

As the daughter of the legendary Louis Prima and singer Gia Maione Prima, Lena Prima is blessed with a unique musical heritage. Louis Prima (a New Orleans native) has been hailed in the annals of 20th century American music as an innovative genius and Lena's mother Gia Maione (a New Jersey native and Louis' fifth and last wife) is a classically trained singer who married Louis in 1963 and performed with him throughout the 60's and 70's until his passing in 1978. (for more information about Louis Prima visit: www.louisprima.com)

Born in Las Vegas, Lena and her younger brother, Louis Jr. were also raised in New Orleans, Louis' home town. The Prima family had homes with golf courses in both cities and moved back and forth during Lena's formative years. She grew up singing and dancing on stage with her parents, and touring with them every summer when school was out. Lena continued her training in school musical groups and stage productions. She began high school at Covington High in Louisiana and graduated from Clark High School in Las Vegas where she studied music under Marcia Neel, winner of The Disney Channel's National Performing Arts Teacher of the Year, (www.musiceducationconsultants.net) and then attended UNLV, studying art, music and dance.

For ten years Lena worked a regular job during the day and sang in rock & roll clubs at night while writing and recording original music, including an album with platinum producer/engineer Geoff Workman (The Cars, Journey, Queen, Sammy Hagar, etc.). In 1991, she made singing a full-time career and began touring the casino/resort circuit with various shows and groups such as Sweet Louie & The Checkmates and The Spiral Staircase (known for their smash hit "I Love You More Today Than Yesterday"). In 1999, she created her multi-media show "Louis Prima, That's My Dad!".

Since her debut performance on Father's Day, 2000 in Las Vegas, Lena has headlined to sold-out audiences and has been received with standing ovations around the country at festivals, theaters, performing arts centers, casinos and corporate events, including a two year run at the Sahara Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip where her famous father performed in the early 1950's. She has received several awards including "The Governor Lorraine Hunt Award" for "Keeping Tradition Alive In Las Vegas" and the distinguished American Italian Cultural Roundtable of New York honored Lena for "...continuing her father's legacy and representing women in the field of jazz".

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Recording

Lena Prima - Since the Storm (2010)

Lena Prima - Since the Storm (2010)

Source: Something Else!

Lena Prima centered this project with a pair of songs by her father, Louis Prima. But she didn't settle for the simple goal of glowing tribute, either to this legendary New Orleans-born purveyor of post-war jump blues or to his era's great American songbook. She had broader goals, and largely succeeds in achieving them. Growing up between Louis Prima's two lives in the Big Easy and in Las Vegas, Lena absorbed elements of both cultures, and that played out across ...

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Music Industry

Louis Prima’s Daughter Lena Prima Unveils Tribute To Her Father

Louis Prima’s Daughter Lena Prima Unveils Tribute To Her Father

Source: All About Jazz

Chicago, IL, December 10, 2001 – The music of the legendary Louis Prima will “Jump, Jive and Wail” its way back onto stages nationwide during his daughter Lena Prima’s live tribute “Louis Prima, That’s My Dad!”

Prima has just inked a worldwide management deal with Onesti Entertianment Corporation. Her show was test marketed this past summer at 12 corporate, festival and theatrical situations and all were met with standing ovations. “This is something fresh, upbeat and new,” said manager Ron ...

"Lena is fantastic!" - Michael Imperioli

"A standing ovation...Lena has the panache of her father as she carries audiences back to a simpler age." - The Chicago Tribune

"Lena's performance was the hit of the night!" - National Italian American Sports Hall Of Fame

"A sure-shot for stardom...here, the acorn did fall close to the oak." - Las Vegas Sun

"Tremendously talented...met with standing ovations..." - Today In Las Vegas

"Lena Prima has a strong voice and striking presence reminiscent of her father...a musical experience worth remembering." - The Italian Tribune

Music

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