Dictionary Biography

Yes, there were some super talents:

Paul Cacia’s Altissimo Trumpet!

Leonard Feather

Jazz Critic Emeritus to the New York and Los Angeles Times

Senior Critic and author of “The Dictionary of Jazz”

CACIA, PAUL                                                  June 20th 1956

Trumpet, Fluegelhorn, Conductor, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Orchestra Leader, Personal Manager.

Grandfather was Jazz Bass player to Lil Armstrong. Worked out of Chicago, great Uncle (nick-name Hardrock) was in charge of all war production for Henry Ford/CEO of Lincoln Continental, member, Board Of Directors Ford Motor Corporation. Illegitimate birth, disinherited, placed for adoption. Readopted, parents Joe and Lorraine Cacia, Cousin to Annette Funicello. Near fatal poisoning by cyanide at age four. Early childhood spent in care of Katie Lopez. Enrolled in St. Catherine’s Military Academy, Anaheim Ca., under Col. Schmitt, formal piano studies by Do-minican Nuns. Summers/Holidays spent in Upstate New York w/Grandparents. Moved/ San Juan Capistrano in 6th grade switching to trumpet. First private lessons by Leon Badham. Self-imposed studies of violin, oboe, clarinet, trombone, french horn and baritone horn. Development considered remarkable, accepted as youngest protégé to trumpet master Claude Gordon. Joined San Clemente municipal orchestra, director, Joseph Schofner, moved, attended San Clemente high school, worked as bus boy at San Clemente Inn to pay for first professional trumpet, dining room attendant to President Richard M. Nixon. Active in all music groups in high school. At-tended conservatory of developing artists, Redlands University, 1968 under Dr. James Jorgenson. Musical prowess gained attention of many notables (including Stan Kenton and Don Ellis), con-tinued as protégé of renowned teacher Claude Gordon 1968 (5 years) as well as legendary Duke Ellington trumpeter Cat Anderson, other trumpet teachers included Don Fehrer, Jimmy Stamp, and John Madrid.

Named split lead trumpet in all star high school Jazz ensemble, inaugural year, taped T.V. 50 KOCE Omnibus, also named first trumpet All Southern California concert orchestra under direc-tion of Larry G. Curtis. Named 1st trumpet All-State Honor Band under the direction of Francis W. McBeth, as well as 1st trumpet Orange County Honor Orchestra. Started gigging with local bands at Balboa Pavilion, Disneyland Hotel and the Casino, Catalina Island. Joined musicians union at age 16, Nick Dimaio, Max Herman and Vince DiBari sponsors. First experiences in Los Angeles included the Louie Bellson Big Band, Donte’s Nightclub 1974, and the Cat Anderson Orchestra. Toured several western states as 1st trumpet with Calvin Jackson 31 piece Symphonic Jazz Orchestra age 16. Split Lead Trumpet The Stan Kenton Collegiate Neophonic Orchestra, Conductors Dr. Jack Wheaton, Dr. Bill Fritz. 1st trumpet The Don Ellis Collegiate Orchestra, di-rector Glenn Stuart. Attended San Clemente High School, graduated from Dana Hills High, moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. Gigs there included The Bob Hope show, Frank Gorshen, Tennes-see Ernie Ford, the International 3-ring circus and the World Football League Big Band (contrac-tor Harvey Ragsdale) etc. Called back to Los Angeles as featured soloist with top 40-lounge act playing the Phoenix Playboy club and Harrah’s club Lake Tahoe. Moved to San Francisco to work with the Electric Flag, Neil Young horn section joining The Buddy Miles Express to tour in concert, for 3 years, before overflowing arena crowds, shared billing with acts such as Jefferson Airplane and Santana, in glamour days of Rock and Roll. Named Musical Director/Arranger for “The Express,” directly involved with record label executive Neil Bogart for multiple projects including first Casablanca LP for The Express. Would supervise production for Butterfly records CEO/ A.J. Cervantes for acts St. Tropez & Tuxedo Junction. Featured appearances: Don Kirshners Rock Concert, and Soul Train TV Series with The Buddy Miles Express.

First major label LP release would include feature trumpet solo with Stevie Wonder, Casablanca records NBLP-7024. Continued to tour based out of LA, studio work to include artists Diana Ross, Elton John, Robert Plant, Barry White, Glen Cambell, Delaney Bramlett, The Osmonds, Abbe Lane, as well as sessions for Motown, MCA, CBS and RCA, Paramount, MGM, 20th Cen-tury Fox, Disney etc… sideline in Universal film “Grease”.

Signed to first record contract as artist & producer by capitol records executive Jack Levy at age 21.  Formed first band 1977, opened as special guest for rock group “Chicago” before 60,000 people. First solo LP titled “Unbelievable” named record of the week on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, Cashbox and record reviews were to follow with accolades. Second solo LP “Bite Your Lip,” for ALX Records.

Sub for rehearsals, Don Ellis, Prez Prado, and Tommy Vig Orchestras. Joined Ray Anthony Big Band as lead trumpet for 1 year, local gigs Beverly Hills Hotel et al. Touring included Mexico City and Television show “Siempre en Domingo”. Leaving for New Orleans joined as lead trum-pet for “The Al Hirt Big Band,”(Al Belletto, manager) worked and toured southern states based out of Bourbon Street Nightclub, included month long engagement at Diplomat Hotel, Florida. Married age 21, Bel Air Country Club, Dean Martin in attendance. Declined 1st trumpet chair at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada. Third solo Big Band LP titled “Big Band Portrait” success-ful, with Los Angeles engagements billed with Tito Puente. Soon to follow, fourth solo LP featuring collaboration with Louie Bellson titled “All In Good Time”. West Coast big band would continue working and touring southern California, with sold out engagements at Donte’s and Carmelo’s nightclubs, etc.

 Accepting guest star solo work, appeared nine times consecutively with The Mormon Tabernacle symphony and chorus (300 voice chorus, 110 piece symphony), Salt Lake City, Utah, to sold out crowds, leading to fifth solo LP titled “Believe It”. Upon appointment by Doc and Sugar Ellis became Executive Director, business affairs to The Don Ellis estate (2 years). Organizing a full concert Jazz Orchestra, named “The Newage Orchestra”, a deluxe 2 LP set titled “Quantum Leap” was the sixth solo project. “Maynard Ferguson presents,” original project title, with Ferguson to produce. Tabled due to salient deal points. College concert tours would follow from LA to San Diego, with sold out, nationwide KKGO broadcast from UCLA Wadsworth Auditorium, Chuck Niles host.

Studied arranging and orchestration, pupil of Pete Rugolo, record production with Dave Pell, conducting from Dick Shearer.  Slated to front Harry James Orchestra after his passing, multiple rehearsals, declined, after dispute over terms with “Pee Wee” Monte. Continuing as Producer & Artist, next LP, the seventh solo LP, engaged multiple studio musicians and guest soloists from the original Stan Kenton Orchestra’s of the 1940’s and 1950’s. The LP titled “The Alumni Tribute to Stan Kenton” included performances by: June Christy, Shorty Rogers, Bill Russo, Lee Konitz, Laurindo Almeida, Carl Fontana and Pete Rugolo. Guest star and solo engagements continued, joined The Las Vegas Pops Orchestra starring Pia Zadora, was featured soloist under the direction of Vincent Falcone for U.S. Tour, Sahara Hotel, Tahoe, San Francisco, St. Louis, Las Vegas etc… toured via private 727.

NLRB subpoena: asked by congress to testify on behalf of AFM/AFL-CIO, Federal US Labor Court. Placed under Federal Marshall protection after two assassination attempts. Breaking 13-year deadlock, sole testimony to win case, behalf of American Federation of Musicians. Acknowledgements of respect from AFM, AFL-CIO, behalf of all union members. Case # 2-CA-23493.

Personal relationships would include political satirist Mort Sahl, Pete Rugolo and film composer Henry Mancini. Master classes at USC, Guest lecturer numerous colleges and High Schools, from Chicago to Los Angeles. Designed Brevette model trumpet for Boosey & Hawkes, w/ Zig Kahnstul. Guest star San Antonio, Texas with the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, and 3 solo appearances at the Big Band Academy Awards in L.A. Appeared at Caesars Palace, High Rollers New Years Concert in 1993. Produced L.A. Raiders Big Band, and was associate producer for LP Hardcore Jazz, featuring Shelley Manne, Bill Holman, and Phil Woods. Numerous concert performances with own orchestra included name guest artists: Anita O’Day, Herb Jeffries, Maria Muldaur, Marilyn King, Paula Kelly jr. and the Modernaires, Joanie Somers, and Kenny Coleman. Bill Conti requested him as one of the fanfare trumpets for the 1986 Olympic game themes recorded at MGM. Musical Contractor to “Shecky Green”, for Wilshire Ebell theatre. Produced music for billionaire philanthropist Elizabeth Keck. David Rose requested him as 1st Trumpet for the last 2 episodes of Highway To Heaven TV series. Appeared in onscreen orchestra in “The Sinatra Story” for Warner Bros, Tina Sinatra producer. Formation of “Paul Cacia Productions” as well as other entities would include special integration for W.B. Release Guide, and P.R. Integration for Sahara and Santa Fe Hotels, CEO Paul Lowden.

Danny Rappaport would initiate Paul as close associate to Tino Barzie (Bullets Durgoms ex-partner) for a decade’s. Base of operations: (Penthouse Suite, 9401 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, 90210). Became Director of Special Projects and member of personal staff to billionaire Investor Meshulam Rickless, owner of Riveria Hotel, Las Vegas. Interfaced on multiple levels with Pia Zadora, Tommy Lasorda, Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra, and Eddie Fisher. Business associations in-cluded, Norman Brokaw, Pres. William Morris Agency, Lee Solters Public Relations, Susan Reynolds, Morris Diamond, Jack Gillardi, Lenny Boiven, Teo Macero, Ed Perlstien, Tony O, Eliot Weis-man/First Premier Artists, Vincent Falcone, Michael Milken. Dinner guest and escort to Miss Peggy Lee for renewal of wedding vows by Frank and Barbara Sinatra, Milton Berle, Bob Newhart, Steve and Edie, Don Rickels, Robert Wagner, and Billy May, among guests. Active in artist management field from 1991 through 1998, became Personal Manager to Miss Peggy Lee, at her request, 1996 through 1998. Present, early morning hours day of passing of Frank Sinatra, Beverly Hills home, paid respects with guests, family and staff.

Career covered 4 decades to present. Current album project titled “legacy” includes multiple jazz legends, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Marshall Royal, “Snooky” Young, Tito Puente, Jimmy Rowles, Buddy Collette, Sammy Nestico, and Don Menza. Continues to appear with own orchestra on yearly schedule/ accepts selected engagements as guest soloist and producer. Formerly Chairman and Artist in Residence for The Performing Arts Lab, devoted significant time to mentor program with young artists. Divorced/3 children. Closest known associate, bodyguard Teadoroso Notagiacomo (security chief to multiple world figures). Mr. Cacia continues to perform and record, he resides in Las Vegas, NV.

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