Pete Jolly—born Peter Ceragioli Jr. June 5, 1932, in New Haven, Connecticut; died November 6, 2004, in Pasadena, California—was an American West Coast jazz pianist and accordionist, best known for his performance of television themes and various movie soundtracks.
He began playing the accordion at age three, and appeared on the radio program Hobby Lobby at age seven.
His composition "Little Bird" was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1963 (a minor hit on Fred Astaire's Ava label), and he formed the Pete Jolly Trio in 1964. With the Trio, and also as a solo artist, he recorded several albums, the last in 2000, a collaboration with Jan Lundgren. He also worked with other notable jazz artists, including Buddy DeFranco, Art Pepper, and Red Norvo, and for many years with EZ music arranger and director Ray Conniff.
Jolly's music can be heard on television programs such as Get Smart, The Love Boat, I Spy, Mannix, M*A*S*H, and Dallas, as well as hundreds of movie soundtracks.
He died in Pasadena, California, from complications of bone marrow cancer, having been hospitalized between August and November, 2004.
Recordings
Jolly Jumps In, RCA Victor LPM 1105
Duo, Trio, Quartet, RCA Victor LPM 1125
When Lights are Low, RCA Victor LPM 1367
Impossible, Metrojazz SE-1014
Continental Jazz, Stereo Fidelity SFS-11000
The Sensational Pete Jolly Gasses Everybody, Charlie Parker PLP-825S
Little Bird, Ava AS-22
Sweet September, Ava AS-39
5 O'Clock Shadows, MGM SE-4127
Too Much, Baby, Columbia CS-9197
Herb Alpert Presents Pete Jolly, A&M SP-4145
Give a Damn, A&M SP-4184
Seasons, A&M SP-3033
Strike Up the Band, Atlas 1003
Pete Jolly Trio & Friends, VSOP 78
Live in L.A.: Red Chimney and Sherry's Bar, VSOP 91
Yeah!, VSOP VSP 98
Timeless, VSOP VSP 105
Collaboration (with Jan Lundgren), Fresh Sounds FSRCD5038
External links
