Napoleon, Phil
(1901–1990)
Napoleon, Phil (2 Sep 1901–30 Sep 1990) American jazz trumpet player, born Filippo Napoli in Boston. He began performing in public as a young child, and in 1916 recorded as a cornet soloist. Napoleon and Frank Signorelli founded the Original Memphis Five, one of the earliest Dixieland groups, in 1917. He also had his own band, recording for Pathé, Edison, and Victor in 1926–1927. Napoleon’s Emperors was the name of his ensemble that recorded for Victor in 1929; it included Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy…