Angelina - Zooma Zooma

New Orleans Jazz National Park presents Tom Hook’s Louis Prima Tribute Band. This performance is in partnership with the French Market Corporation and was a part of our three-day celebration of Saint Patrick's and Saint Joseph's day. We hope to share the history of one of Jazz’s great artists, Louis Prima, and show his effect on the musical landscape today.

Tom Hook is a musician and songwriter from Kansas City, Missouri. He has a worked in the music and entertainment industry for over 40 years. Tom has worked for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company and Walt Disney World, both as a stage musician and director, and has performed in festivals all over the world. Tom is still an active musician in New Orleans where you can see him perform often in various venues, including the American Queen and Queen of the Mississippi Riverboats.

This song was written after his Mother and details the pursuit of a wonderful woman named Angelina. It serves as a fun, empowering Italian Immigrant song. The song has both Italian and English words intertwined, mentioning Italian foods such minestrone, zucca; even spumoni is mentioned, a popular traditional three flavored ice cream. The song mixes a very self-conscious, stereotypical humor of the time with an exciting call and response between vocals and horns and that switches multiple times throughout the song. At a time where Italians were still looked down upon in America, musical pieces that show Italian lived experiences allowed immigrant communities to connect with one another and share loves of music, gathering and festivities. This is part of the reason why Prima’s performances were so popular in the 20th century, and why his songs are still sung at Italian weddings. Music is an important tool in connecting individuals and sharing culture with one another.

Song: Angelina/Zooma, Zooma
Recorded in the late 1950s, this version in 2021
Performed By: Rick Trolson (Trombone), Wendell Brunious (Trumpet), Tom Fischer (Tenor Sax), Charlie Kohlmeyer (Drums), Steve Braun (Bass), John Full (Electric Guitar), Alex Hope Kramer (Vocals), Tom Hook (Piano/Vocals)

Additional information taken from:

64parishes.org/entry/louis-prima

tomhook.com

genius.com/Louis-prima-angelina-lyrics