Real name: Johnny Albert Guarnieri

Effective period / Period of releases: 1945 - 1976

American jazz and stride pianist. Born: March 23, 1917 in New York City, New York. Died: January 07, 1985 in Livingston, New Jersey.

He played in High School bands, then after graduation with George hall orchestra and Mike Riley. Between 1939 - 1942 he alternated between Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman. Later he played ihe Jimmy Dorsey and Raymond Scott as well as leading his own bands.

He claims to be a direct descendant of the old Italian family of Guarnerius, who perfected the violin.