![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.louielouie.net\/pix-2009\/butera-sam.jpg\")
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We just lost another musical icon. Sam Butera<\/strong>, a singer\/ saxophonist with of the LOUIS Prima<\/strong> band, has passed away at the age of 81 years old.<\/p>\n Sam Butera was born Aug. 17, 1927, in New Orleans, LOUISiana. At the age of 7, his father took him to see a big band and asked which of the instruments the boy liked best. Sam pointed to the saxophones, and the next day, his father brought him a saxophone, which led to a remarkable life in music.<\/p>\n During the 1950s, Sam had a very successful partnership with entertainers Louis Prima<\/strong> and Keely Smith<\/strong>, providing a dynamic entertainment. Backed by a small band called the Witnesses, the Prima-Smith-Butera partnership re-interpreted jazz and pop standards with a distinctive array of styles and tempos- swing jazz, jump blues, Italian folk balads and Dixieland. Some of their best-known songs included “Just a Gigolo”\/”I Ain’t Got Nobody” (done as a medley), “Pennies From Heaven,” “That Old Black Magic” (which won a Grammy Award), “Jump, Jive an’ Wail” and “When You’re Smiling.”<\/p>\n In addition to his work with Prima, Butera enjoyed a prolific side career performing with such entertainers as Frank Sinatra<\/strong> and Sammy Davis Jr.<\/strong><\/p>\n While Butera took a mostly supporting role in the Louis Prima band, on a few songs he was allowed an opportunity to shine as lead singer. One of those songs was “(There’ll Be No) Next Time,” which was a song written by Richard Berry<\/strong> in 1955 (released two years before LOUIE LOUIE).<\/p>\n I was fortunate to not only see Sam Butera perform live, but also interview him, where he had a chance to talk about this catchy little number.<\/p>\n Thank you, Sam. You will definitely be missed.<\/p>\n In the meantime, here’s a little clip of Sam in action with his pal LOUIE!<\/p>\n