Biography
Almerico stands out as a trumpeter, bandleader, disc jockey, and dedicated advocate for New Orleans jazz, tracing his roots to the Italian community within the city's vibrant musical landscape. A significant influx of Italian immigrants arrived in Louisiana from 1900 to 1920, precisely during the period when jazz emerged explosively in New Orleans, leading many Italians to engage deeply with the swinging sounds alongside their traditional occupations. In roles ranging from nightclub managers to performing musicians, these individuals often challenged existing segregation statutes, fostering interactions between black and white participants both onstage and in the audience. Almerico ranked among the key Italian contributors to jazz, alongside cornetists like Joseph Bonano and Peter Lacaze, as well as trombonists Giuseppe Alessandra and Baroque Dominic. His formal musical education commenced at Jesuit high school, after which he gained professional experience in the dime-a-dance circuit. In 1936, he formed his initial ensemble, capping nearly ten years of work as a sideman in various groups. These included Slim Lamar & His Southerners, which cut tracks for Victor in Memphis, TN, and Camden, NJ, toward the end of the 1920s, and Mart Britt & His Orchestra, led by a versatile musician proficient on banjo, bass, and drums. During a 1932 Victor session in Atlanta, Britt boldly recorded provocative titles such as "Who Paid Poker with Pocahontas (When John Smith Went Away?)" and "Who Paid the Rent for Mrs. Rip Van Winkle (When Rip Van Winkle Went Away?)". Jazz enthusiasts typically first encounter Almerico through his collaborations on record with the legendary blues singer Lizzie Miles. Furthermore, his own outfits and assembled all-star groups produced numerous recordings across labels including Imperial, Viking, and Dot over time. The Cook imprint preserves both Almerico's work alongside Miles and multiple volumes capturing his band in performances titled Clambake on Bourbon Street. He also appears on a pair of volumes known as Benefit Night for Monk Hazel: Parisian Room, which document some of the initial sessions featuring the renowned New Orleans clarinetist Pete Fountain. Additional releases with Almerico's band highlight partnerships with figures like trombonist Santo Pecora, pianist Armand Hug, trumpeter Slim Lamar, and clarinetist Harry Shields. In promoting New Orleans jazz, Almerico surpassed many contemporaries through his relentless efforts. By the middle of the 1950s, he launched a parallel career broadcasting nationally as a disc jockey on WJMR, the station that also hosted the prominent Poppa Stoppa and served as a premier local broadcaster before transitioning into a CNN affiliate. Even within the informal Dixieland Jazz All-Stars, Almerico enhanced performances during their extended residency at the Parisian Room, transforming the venue into an educational forum and springboard for talent by instituting a "junior" band to play during intermissions, thereby nurturing emerging artists including Connie Jones and Charlie May. His eleven-piece ensemble, frequently engaged for dance cruises aboard ships navigating the Mississippi River, enjoys an outstanding reputation. Among the singers who performed with his groups were the Ryan Sisters, Sue Miller, and Molly Duncan.