4/8/2022
Performances and Artists
Lena Prima, Daughter of Legendary Louis Prima, Performs Her Father’s Hits
Lena Prima experienced a rare music education growing up in Las Vegas.
She spent much of her youth watching her father Louis Prima – one of the most renowned big-band leaders in entertainment history – performing at Vegas’ glamorous lounges in the ‘60s and ‘70s, where she enjoyed his infectious music and charismatic persona up close.
“I watched my father perform big time – I idolized him,” says Lena, now an acclaimed jazz vocalist herself who performs worldwide. “The No. 1 thing I learned from him was sharing the love for what he was doing with the audience.”
Now decades later, Lena keeps her father’s legacy alive by performing his many hits, such as “Pennies From Heaven” and “Che La Luna.”
She finds audiences dance and sing along to these tunes just as much as in the ‘60s.
“My dad was such a warm, loving and fun man, and I think who he was as a person comes through in his music,” she says. “It makes the listener feel so good.”
Lena finds these thrilling melodies pair well with the spirited music of New Orleans, her father’s native city and her current home.
“The music from New Orleans has so much passion and spirit, it inspires dancing and singing along, and fun and joy, which is what my dad naturally had,” she explains. “We want to bring a fun, joyful musical weekend from the New Orleans French Quarter to our Las Vegas friends.”
Shaped By Vegas
Lena developed much of her performance style in Las Vegas, where she launched her singing career at just 19.
Naturally, she had gleaned inspiration from her father – who often invited her on stage with him – and from music icons like Frankie Valli, who frequented her family’s house.
“Tony Bennett actually came to dinner often, because my mom was such a great cook,” Lena recalls.
But her most important lessons came from the classroom.
“I had an amazing music teacher at Clark High School, Marcia Neel, who taught me every important thing I needed to know about singing correctly, using a microphone correctly and performing on TV and in front of an audience,” Lena remembers.
So, she felt highly prepared taking the stage at Vegas venues as a teenager.
“I felt comfortable on stage right away,” she says.
Lena soon landed success touring as a lounge act – but her career found its real footing when she launched her own show, a musical tribute to her father.
“So many people I met had stories about him,” Lena says. “Playing his music helped me learn more about who he was.”
An Award-Winning Band
Lena has shaped her sound with the help of her band, The New Orleans Hot Six.
The fiery group — which includes her husband, bassist Tim Fahey — features award-winning musicians who have shared the stage with legends such as Aretha Franklin.
“What brought us together is that we all have a mutual love and respect for the music we play and create, and for each other,” Lena says.
She feels passionately about performing in Las Vegas where she watched her father shine, she adds.
“Myron’s is such a special and beautiful venue, and I’m looking very much forward to seeing everyone again and sharing love with everyone,” she says.
SEE THE SHOW
See Lena Prima when she returns to Myron's on Friday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11.