Manuel "Fess" Manetta

Jazz pianist, cornetist and saxophonist, born October 3, 1889 in New Orleans, died October 10, 1969 in the same city. Manetta started as violinist, working with Buddy Bolden in 1906. From 1908 he performed as solo pianist. He played various instruments with the Tuxedo Orchestra, King Oliver and Kid Ory's Los Angeles band in 1919. He first recorded on piano in 1925 with Papa Celestin, playing a break on "Original Tuxedo Rag". He also recorded as a soloist in 1957. He spent the last 40 years of his life teaching; his pupils included Henry "Red" Allen and Buddy Petit.