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Marty Napoleon was born on June 2, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York and studied piano as a child. His early years in 1946 he worked with Gene Krupa and went on to work with his uncle, trumpeter Phil Napoleon in his Original Memphis Five.

He is perhaps best known for replacing Earl Hines in Louis Armstrong’s All Stars in 1952. During the decade of the 50s he also worked with his brother Teddy Napoleon, also a pianist. From 1966-1971 Marty was once again reunited and performing with Louis Armstrong.

Napoleon recorded as a sideman with Kai Winding, Charlie Ventura, Rex Stewart, Carl Barry, Herbie Fields, Teddy Reig, Cozy Cole and Allen Eager.

Marty Napoleon released one album as a leader for Bethlehem Records titled Marty Napoleon Swings and Sings, recorded with his trio “The Big Three”, “Jazz From Then Till Now” and “We 3” for other labels, and in 2012 recorded and released “Swingin’ at 90. At age 93 he currently resides in New York.

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