In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we talk with Lena Prima, New-Orleans based singer songwriter and daughter of the legendary Louis (Louie) Prima.

In our Stories Segment, Anthony reads a section from his new book, Forty Days in Italy Con La Mia Famiglia: How to Travel to Research Your Italian Roots, which will be available on Tuesday, June 13^th.

Episode Quote

“A girl’s first true love is her father.” —Marisol Santiago

Tweetables

• “I don’t write a song just to write a song, the songs must come when they come.” – Lena Prima
• “Be yourself.” – Lena Prima on what her father Louie Prima would tell her at age 7
• “I think of the things my dad taught me all the time.” – Lena Prima
• “Louis Prima brought the New Orleans style of music to Vegas.” – Lena Prima
• “I always felt like I was a singer and am blessed to have made it my career.” – Lena Prima
• “Being a singer is a rocky road sometimes, but I don’t care.” – Lena Prima
• “Italians need to all meet each other and hang out together, because we are Italians and we are cool.” – Lena Prima
• “Our Italian American backgrounds connects us with each other.” – Anthony Fasano

About our Guest

Lena Prima is a gifted singer and songwriter with five albums to her credit, a published author, a jewelry designer and a highly respected artist. She is the youngest daughter of legendary musician and entertainer Louie Prima and his fifth wife and singing partner, classically trained vocalist Gia Maione.

Lena began her singing career as a child on tour with her parents and then crafted a career for herself that has spanned more than thirty years and three thousand performances at showrooms, theaters, casinos, clubs and festivals across the United States. A career that inspired the Chicago Tribune to gush: “ A standing ovation! Lena has the panache of her father!”

Episode Sponsors

The National Italian American Foundation

Verizon Fios (Mediaset Italia)