Conte Candoli Papers, 1943-2001

Overview of the Collection

Title
Conte Candoli Papers
Dates
1943-2001 (inclusive)
Quantity
11.5 cubic feet, (12 boxes, oversize, and offsite storage)
Collection Number
IJC MG 17
Summary
Conte Candoli was a jazz trumpeter. The papers include original music manuscripts and published sheet music either created or used by Conte Candoli during his career. They also include newspaper clippings, programs, photographs, awards, clothing, audio and video cassettes, and a Pocket Trumpet.
Repository
University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Secondo (Conte) Candoli was born on July 12, 1927, in Mishawaka, Indiana to Italian immigrant parents who had settled in the United States after World War I. Conte’s father, a rubber plant factory worker, also played in a band at a local Italian club. It was through his encouragement that Conte and his older brother Pete began to play music at a young age.

Upon a recommendation from Pete, Conte joined Woody Herman’s First Herd at the age of 16, filling in during his high school summer vacation. Pete was already part of the band when Conte joined. Conte then joined the band full-time after his high school graduation in 1945. The military draft cut Conte’s time with the band short and he served in the United States Army from September 1945 to November 1946. After his discharge, he joined fellow Herman band alum Chubby Jackson’s Fifth Dimensional Jazz Group, which toured Scandinavia.

Following his time with Jackson’s group, Conte worked with Stan Kenton (1948), Charlie Ventura (1949), rejoined Woody Herman (1949-1950), Charlie Barnet (1951) and Stan Kenton again (1951-1953). Conte led his own group in Chicago in 1954 before moving to California to take session jobs and join Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse All Stars. From the late 1950’s to the early 1960’s, Conte worked regularly with vibraphone player Terry Gibbs, toured Europe with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band, and worked again with Woody Herman, Shelly Manne and Stan Kenton. During his career, Conte appeared with Woody Herman at the Monterey Jazz Festival and participated in reunions with Herman in 1976 and 1986. Conte also performed as a member of Supersax from 1972 through the 1980’s and beyond, emulating the style of Dizzy Gillespie in the group’s re-creations of Charlie Parker’s music. Beginning in 1968, Conte made occasional appearances with Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show Band led by Doc Severinsen. He became a permanent Tonight Show Band member in 1972 when Carson relocated the show from New York to Burbank, California. Conte retired from the Tonight Show, along with the rest of Severinsen’s band, when Carson retired in 1992. After his Tonight Show Band retirement, Conte toured with the Doc Severinsen Band on occasion and was also in constant demand as a teacher at trumpet clinics and jazz festivals, touring extensively throughout the 1990’s.

Conte collaborated frequently with his older brother Pete, leading a band with him in Monterey in 1973 and then continuing to perform together throughout the 1980’s and 90’s. Conte and Pete were inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997.

Before cancer slowed his activities, Conte continued performing at clubs, playing festivals, doing session work, and recorded 18 months prior to his death, completing Candoli Live during this time. His complete discography lists some 770 separate tracks and 123 albums on which he played. Conte Candoli died on December 14, 2001, at Monterey Palms Convalescent Home in Palm Desert, California.

References "Conte Candoli." All About Jazz. http://www.allaboutjazz.com. "Conte Candoli." http://www.grovemusic.com. "Conte Candoli." In Havard Concise Dictionary of Music and Muscians, 294. “Conte Candoli, 74: Trumpeter Played in Tonight Show Band.” Los Angeles Times, December 16, 2001. "Conte Candoli Cool Jazz Trumpeter Capable of Turning Up The Heat." The Guardian, January 6, 2002.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection includes original music manuscripts, arrangements and printed/published sheet music (boxes 1-3) either created or used by Conte Candoli during his career. It also includes newspaper clippings, programs and flyers related to Candoli's musical engagements (box 11); photographs (boxes 7-8); audio cassettes and video tapes (box 4, 5, 6 and 12); awards (box 7); clothing, including a three-piece suit (offsite); a cassette player and a VHS Jupiter Pocket Trumpet in a form-fitted case (box 9). Other musical instruments and accessories in the collection include two silver trumpets in a Yamaha Japan fitted case with one a King Golden Flair (661118) and the other engraved "Conte Candoli" (661061) (offsite); a golden trumpet (322510) in a F. Besson Paris case (offsite); two trumpets in their respective cases (offsite); a Blessing Artist Elkhart-Ind. U.S.A. flugelhorn in a Reunion Blues San Francisco/The Brasswind Southbend IN case (including 2 valves and a mouthpiece in a leather case in the outside pocket (offsite); and several mutes, mouthpieces, and a set of three valve caps (box 10).

Box 8 contains oversized materials which explains why the box description is not always sequencial.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Conte Candoli Papers, IJC MG 17, Special Collections and Archives. University of Idaho Libary, Moscow, Idaho.

Restrictions on Use

Consult Head of Special Collections and Archives on permission and use.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Related Materials

This manuscript group is part of the International Jazz Collections (IJC). There are related materials to Conte Candoli in his brother’s papers; see Guide to the Pete Candoli Papers at the Univeristy of Idaho.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Mrs. Kristen Candoli, November 2002.

Processing Note

Processed in 2008 and revised in 2015.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

ArrangementsReturn to Top

1.5 cubic feet, (Contains full or partial musical arrangements used or created by Conte Candoli during his musical career.)
Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
8 1
Soon
8 2
Remember "Dizzy"; arranged by Dusko Goykovich
8 4
Brook-Lyn
8 5
Secret Passion
1 1
Sick of the Blues; arranged and composed by Joe Curiale
1 2
Of All Things; arranged by Bill Holman
1 3
Ballade
1 4
Blow Your Horn; arranged by Tommy Newsome
1 5
Secret Love
1 6
Come Rain or Shine; arranged by Bob Ojeda
1 7
Darn That Dream; arranged by Frank Mantooth
1 8
3 Ton Blues; composed and arranged by Pete Christlieb
1 9
Ticker; arranged by Bill Holman
1 10
Willow Weep For Me; arranged by Bob Brookmeyer
1 11
KoKo; arranged by William E. Green
1 12
Con Alma; arranged by Frank Collett
1 13
Con Alma; arranged by Frank Collett
1 14
Round About Midnight
Box
1 15
Where or When; arranged by Vaughn F. Wiester
Folder
1 16
Lush Life
1 17
Saturday Night Special; arranged by Jon Charles
1 18
Sunshine Swing; arranged by Bill Holman
1 19
Deliverance; arranged by Bill Holman
1 20
To Bop or Not To Bop; arranged by Gary Carney from the Library of the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus
2 1
Blue Daniel by Frank Rosolino; arranged by Mike Barone
2 2
Blue Daniel by Frank Rosolino; arranged by Mike Barone
2 3
Blue Daniel by Frank Rosolino; arranged by Mike Barone
2 4
It Might As Well Be Spring; arranged by Bob Ojeda
2 5
Lover Man; arranged by Bill Holman
2 6
Doxy
2 7
Some Day My Prince Will Come; arranged by Tommy Newsome
2 8
Laura; composed by David Raskin, arranged by Stefan Pfiefer for Big Band Convention Concert, Cologne
2000
2 9
I Remember Clifford;
2 10
Confirmation
2 11
All The Things You Are
2 12
Too Close For Comfort

Partial ArrangementsReturn to Top

1.5 cubic feet, (Contains partial musical arrangements used or created by Conte Candoli throughout his musical career.)
Container(s) Description
Box Folder
2 13
Jam For Your Bread
2 13
Crying Sands; arranged by Chubby Jackson
2 13
Old Acquaintance
2 13
Just You Just Me
2 13
Long As There's Music
2 13
Dizzy on Groovin High
2 13
Stablemates-Dizzy
2 13
Stockholm Sweetin by Quincy Jones
2 13
Lights are Low
2 13
Avalon Camarillo
2 14
Untitled
2 14
Untitled
2 14
Wouldn't You
2 14
Fig Street Blues
2 14
Crafty
2 14
Untitled
2 14
Secret Passion
2 14
Asiatic Roses
2 14
What Is This Thing
2 14
Untitled
2 14
Conte's Solo on Boptica
2 14
Body and Soul; arranged by J. Bainbridge
2 14
Shawnuff
2 14
Tempus Fugit
2 14
Milestones
2 14
Bossa Nova
2 14
The Blue Sombrero
2 14
The Fruit
2 14
Minor Groove
2 14
Tune Up-Miles Davis
2 14
Get Out of Town
2 14
Joy Spring; arranged by Clifford Brown
2 14
Ray's Idea
2 14
Strollin'
2 14
Nostalgia
2 14
Jo Ann
2 14
Flesh and Bones
2 14
Samba; arranged by Dick Forrest
2 14
After You've Gone; arranged by Dick Forest
2 14
Freedom Dance
2 14
Alone Together
2 14
You Are The Sunshine
2 14
Count Down

Published Sheet Music, Music Books and TranscriptionsReturn to Top

0.5 cubic feet, (Contains printed sheet music, music books and musical transcriptions owned and/or used by Conte Candoli throughout his musical career.)
Container(s) Description Dates
Sheet Music
Box Folder
3 1
Enigma score
3 1
Little Friend I Never Knew by Rich Pulin
3 2
The Jitterbug Waltz by Thomas "Fats" Waller
3 2
Portrait of a Count by William Russo
3 2
Summer Sketch by Russ Freeman; arranged by Bill Mays
3 2
Goodbye California by Bill Mays
3 2
Summer Serenade by Benny Carter; arranged by Bill Mays
3 2
Namely You by Johnny Mercer and Gene DePaul
3 2
Gone With The Wind by Allie Wriebel and Herb Magidson
3 2
Imagination by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke
3 2
The Song Is You by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II
3 2
I'm Old Fashioned by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer
3 2
Dearly Beloved by Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer
3 2
In The Wee Small Hours by Dave Marrit and Bob Hilliard
3 2
All The Things You Are by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II
3 2
I Hadn't Anyone Til You by Ray Noble
3 2
I'll Take Romance by Ben Oakland and Oscar Hammerstein
3 2
Let The Bright Seraphim by G.F. Handel
3 2
Days of Wine and Roses by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini
3 2
I Don't Want To Cry Anymore by Victor Schertzinger
3 2
Blown' the Blues Away by Horace Silver
3 2
Little Jazz by Roy Eldridge
3 2
Easy Street by E.R. Jones
Music Books
1939-1991
Box Volume
3
Favorite Standards Volume 22 by Jamey Aebersold
3
Night and Day Volume 51 by Jamey Aebersold
3
Harry James Studies and Improvisations for Trumpet
3
Arban Trumpet and Cornet Method-Carl Fischer Edition
3
Arban's Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet (Cornet)
3
Otto Langey's New and Revised Edition of Celebrated Tutors for Trumpet or Cornet
3
The Cookbook-Jazz Compositions by Carl Saunders
Transcriptions
Box
3
Sincerely, Conte - Conte Candoli Quartet transcription by Don Erjavec - 2 copies
3
Twenty Jazz Trumpet Solos-Transcribed by Gregory Bush
3
Stan Getz Standards-Transcribed by Greg Fishman

Recorded Materials and Audio Cassette PlayerReturn to Top

Contains audio-cassettes, video cassette recordings and an audio cassette player. of the audio the bulk feature performances of Conte Candoli as a solo artist, in performance with his brother Pete Candoli or as part of group including the Woody Herman orchestra, Stan Kenton and Charlie Ventura.
Container(s) Description Dates
Conte Candoli Audio Cassettes
These cassettes feature performances by Conte Candoli either as a solo artist or in concert with other groups of artists, including his brother Pete Candoli as well as the Woody Herman Orchestra and Stan Kenton. Audio cassettes featuring Conte Candoli are contained in box 4 and part of box 5. The remainder of the audio cassettes were collected by Conte Candoli but do not include his own performances.
1943-2001
Box
4
Charlie Ventura Pasadena Concert part 2
1949
4
Conte Candoli at the 4 Queens February 1996
1996
4
Conte Candoli, Ross Thompkins, Ian Walker and John Ancotta at El Choqueltepe in Denver, CO; April 25-28, 1998. 2 copies
1998
4
Jazz with Dee-Candoli Brothers-August 2, 1986
1986
4
Conte Candoli and the Joe Harder Trio-2 copies
4
First half of Conte Candoli performance in Baden-2 copies
1994
4
Second half of Conte Candoli concert performance in Baden
1994
4
Conte Candoli meets Al Porcino; Burghausen March 23, 1994 Two copies
1994
4
Bud Shank Sextet at Yoshi's (Conte Candoli in sextet) January 16, 2000
2000
4
Candoli Brothers and the Findley Brothers-3 copies
4
Conte Candoli recording for NOS radio May 11, 1975
1975
4
Count and Yo-Yo Conversations and Just Friends
4
Stan Kenton Live
1952-53
4
Portrait of a Count-Vern Seilert
4
Al Porcino Band with Conte Candoli
1999
4
Conte Candoli and Frank Rosolino at the Baked Potato
1976
4
Smooth Music-The Candoli Brothers
4
The Candoli Brothers-3 copies
4
Conte Candoli with the Charles McPherson Quartet
1994
4
Birdland All-Stars
1956
4
Conte Candoli-Funk No More
4
Conte Candoli and Carl Fontana, Second Set
1993
4
Conte Candoli, Pete Candoli, Bob Green, Robert Kassinger, and John Arcotta at El Choqulepe, Denver, Colorado, Two copies.
1986
4
Conte Candoli and Carl Fontana at the Royal Palms Inn, 2 copies
1993
4
Conte Candoli and Carl Fontana at the Royal Palms Inn, 2 copies
1993
4
Pete Candoli TRP and Orchestra with vocals by Gloria Woods
4
Elkhart
1990
4
Transcriptions - Kenton
1953
4
Stan Kenton, Birdland, M Squad
1953
4
Bud Powell Trio featuring Conte Candoli
1957
4
Preservation Be-Bop at the Improv Sets 1 and 2
1977
4
Preservation Be-Bop Band at the Improv Set 2
1977
4
Preservation Be-Bop Band at Dante's Sets 1 and 2
1977
4
Preservation Be-Bop Band at Dante's
1977
4
Preservation Be-Bop Band at Dante's Sets 1 and 2
1977
4
Preservation Be Bop Band at Dante's Sets 1 and 2
1977
4
Preservation Be Bop Band at Dante's
1977
5
Conte Candoli with Chubby and Ira
5
Candoli Brothers at Dante's
1977
5
The Best of Charlie Ventura-2 copies
5
Conte Candoli, Buddy Collette, Stan Covey, Larry V. and Vince Guaraldi
5
Conte and Pete Candoli at the 4 Queens for KNPR, 2 copies
1983
5
Ron Anthony Quintette featuring Conte Candoli
5
Woody Herman 40th Anniversary Carnegie Hall
1976
5
Woody Herman in Hollywood
1944
5
Chubby Jackson The Happy Monster Small Groups
1944-1947
5
Silver Storm Marciac, France
2000
5
Conte Candoli with Bud Shaik Royal Palms Inn, First set
1993
5
Conte Candoli and Frank Rosolino at the Baked Potato, Set One
1975
5
Supersax Jazz at the Pioneer II Reno, NV
1979
5
Conte Candoli and Bill Holman at Royal Palms Inn, First set
1993
5
Conte Candoli and Bill Holman at Royal Palms Inn, Second set
1993
5
Supersax Jazz at the Pioneer II Reno NV
1979
5
Candoli Brothers C-II
5
Candoli's Canolis
5
Side A-Pete Candoli Side B-Conte and Pete Candoli
5
Side 1-Bell, Book and Candoli Side 2-Two for the Money
5
Conte Candoli at the Artist Quarter
1996
5
Candoli Brothers in San Diego
1990
5
Supersax
1973
5
North Sea Jazz Sessions
1975
5
Charlie Ventura Septet Pasadena Civic Auditorium
1949
Box
12
VHS Tapes
Contains 5 VHS tapes; of particular interest is the recording of Charlie Ventura performing for the residents of an Atlantic City nursing home where he lived in May 1991.
1990-2001
9
Audio cassette player
Contains a Sanyo twin cassette player, with AM-FM radio and stereo recording capabilities.

Photographs, 1943-2001Return to Top

Contains photographs of Conte Candoli in performance, promotional images, photos of musicians with whom he worked as well as a few personal photographs.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
7 3
Folder 3
3 black and white family photos, 3 black and white photos of Candoli family gravestones; 4 black and white promotional head shots of Russell Ruffino.
1943-2001
7 4
Folder 4
Performance photos including Conte Candoli with Woody Herman; Conte Candoli with Pete Candoli promotional and performance photos.
1943-1977
7 5
Folder 5
Performance, group and individual photos as well as head shots and promotional photographs.
1943-1999
7 6
Folder 6
4 American Heritage postcards, three featuring Stan Kenton and one featuring Duke Ellington. Color performance photographs, 5 photos of Pete and Conte Candoli
Circa 1990's
8
Oversize box
Performance pictures of Shorty Rogers. Black and white photo of a couple seated at a table in 1952. Mounted black and white 11 x 14 photo of Pete Candoli parody picture of Conte Candoli compilation of photos of performers at the Apollo theatre; 2 photos feature Conte Candoli.

Personal, 1943-2001Return to Top

Container(s): Box 7 and off-site storage

Contains personal items including a datebook articles of Conte Candoli's clothing and his biographical information.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
7 13
Correspondence
Contains various letters sent to or pertaining to Conte Candoli.
1980-2001
7
Datebook
1 datebook
1986
Folder
7 12
Biographical information
2 typewritten copies of a biography of Conte Candoli.
Clothing
includes a three piece suit

Certificates and Awards, 1943-2001Return to Top

Contains some of the awards and certificates presented to Conte Candoli throughout his musical career.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
7 7
Certificate of Appreciation to Conte Candoli from International Association of Jazz Educators
1995
7 8
Elmhurst College Jazz Festival participation plaque
1992
7 9
Jazz Tribute Award plaque to Conte Candoli from Los Angeles Jazz Society
1990
7 10
International Association of Jazz Educators award to Conte Candoli for Outstanding Service to Jazz Education
1995
7 11
Bird Lives bronze coin from Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation
7 11
Paperweight in shape of musical note-Thank you for your extraordinary contribution
1993

Musical Instruments and Accessories, 1943-2001Return to Top

Contains some of the musical instruments and related accessories used by Conte Candoli during his musical career.
Container(s) Description Dates
Instruments
Box
9
KHS Jupiter Pocket Trumpet in form-fitted case.
Accessories
Contains accessories for trumpet used by Conte Candoli throughout his career.
Box Box
10 6
5 straight trumpet mutes
10 6
4 cup trumpet mutes
10 6
2 practice trumpet mutes
10 6
2 bubble trumpet mutes
10 6
4 plunger trumpet mutes
6 10
1 stone lined derby mute for trumpet
6 10
1 bucket mute for trumpet
6 10
12 mouthpieces
6 10
3 valve caps
6 10
2 drumsticks
6 10
1 small tripod

Printed Materials, 1943-2001Return to Top

Contains programs, flyers, newspaper articles and clippings, posters, buttons, and music publications pertaining to Conte Candoli's music performances,related activities and engagements.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box
11
Buttons
Contains an envelope of participation buttons from Conte Candoli's involvement in various jazz festivals including the University of Idaho's Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival.
1980-2001
11
CD Liners
Contains CD liners for two of Conte Candoli's compact discs: "Sweet Simon" by Conte Candoli and "Portrait of a Count" by the Conte Candoli Quartet.
Box
8
Chubby Jackson and the Happy Monster CD liner
Laminated copy of liner for CD on which Conte Candoli played.
11
Flyers
Promotions of Conte Candoli's appearances and performances throughout the United States and abroad both as a solo artist as well as engagements with his brother Pete Candoli or other performing with groups of artists such as supersax or the Fullerton College Jazz Band.
1943-2001
11
Posters
Contains posters promoting Conte Candoli's performances. of note are the posters commemorating the Los Angeles Jazz Society's eighth annual jazz tribute and awards concert honoring Conte Candoli.
1943-2001
Box
8
Laminated poster of Conte Candoli playing at the Royal Palms Inn
8
Jazz art poster
11
Music Publications
Consists of three folders as well as oversized materials including issues of magazines and newspapers which cover the topic of music with a particular focus on jazz or the trumpet which make a reference to Conte Candoli or one of the bands or groups in which he participated over the years. Included are copies of Downbeat Magazine (1945, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1977, 1998 and 1996); Jazz Trumpet Journal (1993, 1994) and Los Angeles Jazz Scene newspaper.
1943-2001
11
Programs
Four folders. Highlights Conte Candoli's many performances at community and collegiate jazz festivals, concerts, clubs and other venues throughout his career. Included are programs for the Stan Kenton European tour in 1953, 1998 Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival in Japan, the 1973 Monterey Jazz Festival, and the 1996 Playboy Jazz Festival.
1943-2001
11
Newspapers (clippings and reviews)
Three folders. Includes newspaper clippings containing reviews of Conte Candoli performances, interviews promoting his appearances and discussing his career, promotional mentions of upcoming performances and other publicity which occurred throughout his career.
1943-2001
7
Drawings
Contains drawings featuring musicians and Conte Candoli.
Box Folder
7 2
Drawing of a trumpet player
7 2
Drawing of a bass and trumpet player
7 2
Portrait of a Count charcoal sketch
8
Charcoal drawing of unidentified individual

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Big Bands--United States
  • Jazz Musicians

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Candoli, Conte, 1927-2001--Archives (musician)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top