JIMMY MULIDORE: A Las Vegas Legend in Jazz
A wind instrument virtuoso and master of the saxophone, Jimmy Mulidore has kept Las Vegas a hotbed for Jazz the last five decades. Jimmy moved to Las Vegas in 1957 to pursue a musical career. In that time, Jimmy was provided the opportunity to work with some of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry.
It all began in Youngstown, Ohio where Jimmy was born and raised. He began his musical training as a child with Al Calderone. By the time he was 14, Jimmy
was playing shows around the Youngstown area and frequenting Cleveland jazz clubs.
Jimmy credits his abilities to some of the jazz greats like James Moody, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker.
When Jimmy arrived in Las Vegas he was already a seasoned musician working with Red Norvo (of Benny Goodman fame), and ready to make his mark in the jazz world. He began working at the Sands Hotel with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Lena Home. The beautiful music he performs can be heard on albums by the likes of Sinatra, Dino, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, and Vic Damone. He had a close and special relationship with actress and singer Ann Margret and has conducted for her several times throughout the years.
Jimmy was recognized by the King of Rock (Elvis) for his legendary flute solo during the American Trilogy performed at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. Elvis said Jimmy played the flute to perfection.
In 1969, Jimmy became the musical contractor at the Hilton, followed later with the promotion to musical director. He held that prestigious position for 18 years,
and conducted the orchestra for many stars. Among them were Liberace, his good friend Gianni Russo (original Godfather film), Sarah Vaughn, Raquel Welch, Pearl Bailey, Louis Armstrong, James Brown, Gladys Knight, Olivia Newton-John and The Four Tops. He also performed with Perry Como, Barbra Streisand, Glen Campbell and other great entertainers who took the stage at the Hilton.
In 1987, Jimmy started touring with his band Jimmy Mulidore’s Jazz All Stars, which at times featured Jimmy’s mentor and good friend James Moody and jazz alto-saxophonist great Richie Cole. Jimmy his dedicated his life to performing jazz. He has played throughout the United States, Italy, Europe, Mexico and Japan with Georgie Auld.
Today, you can still watch and listen to Jimmy perform his musical art. He performed in 2006 at the “Summer Jazz Festival” at The Grand Theatre. The Las Vegas Country Club featured Jimmy in their “Jazz Under The Stars”. You can also catch him performing at the Humphreys in San Diego, CA and Le Coustoue in Rosarito, Mexico.
If you are interested in learning more about Jimmy’s history, you can go to his website: www.jimmymulidore.com. There you can find 10 of his great CDs with performances with Louie Bellson, Shelley Mann, Ray Brown, Red Rodney, Harold Land, Phil Woods and James Moody. For your viewing pleasure, Jimmy has two DVDs you can purchase, one which features the Dizzy Gillespie Rhythm Section.
So, if you are a jazz enthusiast, keep your eyes open for the many festivals that are held around the nation and Mexico, because it is definitely worth traveling to see and hear this jazz artist perform.
Jimmy owns what he described as his “dream home on the ocean”, in Rosarito, Mexico. He and his friends spend many days out of the year at this luxurious home. He plans on performing and doesn’t see a time when he’ll retire and put his saxophone down. “When you are happy with what you do, why stop,” said the legend Jimmy Mulidore.
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