Renato Carosone
Composer
Italian pianist, singer, songwriter, and bandleader whose song, Torero, reached the #1 spot on the American Hit Parade. He was a leading figure in the Naples' musical tradition, Canzone Napoletana.
He received a piano diploma from the Naples Conservatory in 1937 and subsequently entered the Ethiopian music scene as a bandleader and pianist. He returned to his native Italy following World War II.
His popular Trio Carosone featured the talents of drummer Gege Di Giacomo and guitarist Peter Van Wood. Later, the group expanded to include Elek Bacsik, a Hungarian bassist, violinist, and guitarist.
He and his two siblings grew up in Naples, Italy.
He recorded a version of the popular Bob Merrill song, Mambo Italiano.