Lena Prima’s Prima La Famiglia is Out Today!

Posted by  Braden
Lena Prima - Prima La Famiglia Cover Art

Buy It Now

A standing ovation . . . Lena has the panache of her father.

The Chicago Tribune
Enjoy a taste of the making of the album with this short video

Lena Prima, the daughter of the famed New Orleans trumpeter/vocalist, Louis Prima, releases Prima La Famiglia on Basin Street Records today!

Release Party

A release party for the album will be held on Thursday, February 7 at 5 PM at The Jazz Playhouse in the Royal Sonesta Hotel at 300 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. Passed hor’s d’ouvres will be served. Join us for a great night of music celebrating this fine release.

About the Album

The heart of the album is in the title: Family. A proud Italian-American and longtime advocate of the Italian-American community, Prima set out to make an album of quintessential songs for the Italian-American family. In her own words, “It’s the music that Italian-Americans grew up with back in the 40s that carried on throughout generations. They played this music in their family homes, at Sunday dinners, weddings, and they are just beloved songs.” Lena Prima further solidifies the family theme with the fact that every track on the album (save the classic traditional Sicilian folk song “Cu Ti Lu Dissi”) was at one time performed by her late father, Louis Prima. While Prima La Famiglia pays tribute to her father in this way, Lena offers fresh interpretations and a vocal style that are all her own bolstered by new, lush arrangements and orchestrations from Lawrence Sieberth that give the album an overall feel of class and polish. Fans of Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, and Frank Sinatra take note, there’s a new name to list in the halls of great classic singers: Lena Prima!

Take an in-depth look at the making of the album!

Lena Prima is the newest addition to the exclusive roster of artists on the award-winning Basin Street Records. Prima joins ranks with artists such as Kermit Ruffins, Rebirth Brass Band, Dr. Michael White, and Jason Marsalis on the 21-year old powerhouse label based in New Orleans. A seasoned veteran of the music industry, vocalist Prima has made over 3,000 musical appearances around the world throughout her career. Born in Las Vegas, but now residing and regularly performing in New Orleans, Prima is rooted in the music of the Crescent City, and in the words of Basin Street Records’ founder and president, Mark Samuels, she’s a perfect fit on the label.

Upcoming Shows

Available on All Major Digital Services

Live At Little Gem Saloon Release Party With Kermit Ruffins and Special Guests – Jan. 12 – 7 & 9 PM

Posted by  Braden

Buy Tickets – 7 PM

Buy Tickets – 9 PM

Kermit Ruffins performs at the Little Gem Saloon on May 5, 2017 - Photo by Erika Goldring

Special Guests Include: Davell Crawford, Dr. Michael White, Irvin Mayfield, Lena Prima

On Saturday, January 12, 2019 Basin Street Records and the Little Gem Saloon are teaming up to present an evening celebrating the release of the new album Live at Little Gem Saloon: Basin Street Records Celebrates 20 Years. The evening will be anchored with two performances by trumpeter/vocalist Kermit Ruffins at 7 PM and 9 PM, and feature special guests and Basin Street labelmates: Davell Crawford (piano/vocals – 7 PM set), Dr. Michael White (clarinet – 7 PM set), Irvin Mayfield (trumpet – 7 PM & 9 PM sets), and Lena Prima (vocals – 9 PM set). Don’t miss this outstanding event!

Live at Little Gem Saloon: Basin Street Records Celebrates 20 Years is a fantastic new live album recorded at the Little Gem Saloon in May of 2017 that features performances by Jason Marsalis, Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield, Bill Summers, Dr. Michael White, and Davell Crawford. “This disc captures a special evening for a special label.” – Tom Henry, Toledo Blade. All of these outstanding musicians came together to show support and appreciation for the continued work of the local New Orleans label they call home in the best way possible—with an evening of great music.

The Little Gem Saloon is one of the oldest jazz venues in the world that was lovingly restored in 2012 to a two-story private event space, restaurant & live music venue that harkens back to the days when the Gem was the jazz corner of New Orleans. 115 years since it first opened its doors, the restoration of the Little Gem Saloon marks the resurrection of this historic area as the heart of New Orleans’ Jazz.

For more information on this event, Live at Little Gem Saloon, or Basin Street Records please contact: info@basinstreetrecords.biz or

Little Gem Saloon, 504-267-4863, info@littlegemsaloon.com

Lena Prima, Basin Street Records Recording Artist!

Posted by  Braden

Basin Street Records is proud to announce we have signed Lena Prima and will be releasing her forthcoming album, Prima La Famiglia, on January 18, 2019. Pre-order the album, and receive two tracks instantly as a download. Welcome to the team, Lena!

Lena Prima - Prima La Famiglia Cover Art

“A standing ovation . . . Lena has the panache of her father.” – The Chicago Tribune

A seasoned veteran of the music industry, vocalist Prima has made over 3,000 musical appearances around the world throughout her career. Born in Las Vegas, but now residing and regularly performing in New Orleans, Prima is rooted in the music of the Crescent City, and in the words of Basin Street Records’ founder and president, Mark Samuels, she’s a perfect fit on the label.

The partnership commences with the release of Prima’s new album, Prima La Famiglia. The heart of the album is in the title: Family. A proud Italian-American and longtime advocate of the Italian-American community, Prima set out to make an album of quintessential songs for the Italian-American family. In her own words, “It’s the music that Italian-Americans grew up with back in the 40s that carried on throughout generations. They played this music in their family homes, at Sunday dinners, weddings, and they are just beloved songs.” Lena Prima further solidifies the family theme with the fact that every track on the album (save the classic traditional Sicilian folk song “Cu Ti Lu Dissi”) was at one time performed by her late father, Louis Prima. While Prima La Famiglia pays tribute to her father in this way, Lena offers fresh interpretations and a vocal style that are all her own bolstered by new, lush arrangements and orchestrations from Lawrence Sieberth that give the album an overall feel of class and polish. Fans of Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, and Frank Sinatra take note, there’s a new name to list in the halls of great classic singers: Lena Prima!

Watch the Mini-Documentary on the making of the album!

Prima La Famiglia will be available on all major digital platforms and stores that sell fine music on January 18, 2019. Pre-order from select retailers or Basin Street Records to receive two tracks instantly.

 

Upcoming Performances:

Every Friday at The Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans, LA – 10 PM

10/7/2018 – Club Bonafide, New York, NY – 3 PM & 6 PM

10/24/2018 – Royal Sonesta Hotel, New Orleans, LA – 8:30 PM

12/1/2018 – CIAO Women! Fundraiser – Deanie’s Seafood Courtyard, New Orleans, LA – 3 PM

Related show

  • Artist:
    Lena Prima
  • Date:
    10/08/18
  • Time:
    2:30pm
  • Venue:
    Columbus Day Parade
  • City:
    New York , NY
  • Address:
    5th Avenue between 67th and 69th
  • Country:
    United States
  • Admission:
    Free
  • Age restrictions:
    All Ages
  • Notes:
    Red Carpet Performance at the Columbus Day Parade