Conrad Gozzo

Conrad J. Gozzo (1922–1964) was an American trumpet player born in New Britain Connecticut on February 6, 1922. Gozzo was a member of the NBC Hollywood staff orchestra at the time of his death on October 8, 1964. He died at the age of 42 of a heart attack, brought on in part by alcohol abuse.

Gozzo, lead trumpeter on the Glen Gray Stan Kenton and Harry James "remakes", recorded extensively with arrangers Van Alexander, Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Ray Conniff, Jerry Fielding and Shorty Rogers, and also with performers Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Gozzo played first trumpet on all of the recordings of composer Henry Mancini. He routinely performed on many major live television shows which were broadcast on the NBC network, including the Dinah Shore Show (1955 through 1964). Gozzo also performed on motion picture soundtracks including The Glenn Miller Story, The Benny Goodman Story, Bye Bye Birdie, Call Me Madam, Ben-Hur and Cleopatra. He also performed on the Ella Fitzgerald two-record set on Verve (Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook).

Gozzo was sometimes referred to as "The Goz" and was considered by many colleagues as being an exceptionally strong trumpeter with a well developed range and tonal quality. He is credited by some as having shaped the lead trumpet concept of the swing era which is characterized by a large and robust tonality.

"Trumpeter's Prayer," was composed by Tutti Camarata for Gozzo, as was Portrait of Trumpet by Sammy Nestico.

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