Keeping in tune with his father’s legacy

Monday, March 20, 2006 | 7:09 a.m.

Louis Prima Jr. will "Sing, Sing, Sing'' in two performances at the South Coast, starting at 8 p.m. tonight and Tuesday.

Supported by a six-piece band under the direction of saxophonist Tommy Alvarado, and backed by vocalist Emarald, Prima will re-create the swinging music of his late father, who defined the lounge era in Las Vegas during the '50s and '60s.

Among Louis Prima Sr.'s many hits were "Sing, Sing, Sing,'' "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody,'' "Oh Marie,'' "Angelina'' and "Buona Sera.''

Tickets are $19 and $26.

"I'm really excited to get to perform my father's music,'' said the 40-year-old native of Las Vegas, who pursued a career in rock 'n' roll before returning to his jazz and swing roots.

The elder Prima was born in New Orleans in 1910 and became an international star. He died in his hometown in 1978.

He performed in jazz bands in and around New Orleans until he headed for New York in 1932, playing nightclubs, lounges and vaudeville. He recorded more than 70 songs in New York, where he first played Dixieland, then added swing.

In 1954 he and his then wife, Keely Smith, began performing at the Sahara's Casbar.

The couple split in 1961 and Prima married vocalist Gia Maione, mother of Prima Jr. and Lena Prima, a vocalist who pays tribute to her father in her performances.

Lena Prima recently performed in New Orleans at The Hotel Monteleone, the oldest hotel in the French Quarter.

"The hotel turned hundreds of fans away," her brother said.

Each Wednesday the hotel features a tribute to the elder Prima in its Carousel Lounge.

Prima Jr. and his band were scheduled to headline at the Monteleone on Saturday, kicking off Sunday's St. Joseph's Day celebration, which includes an Italian festival in New Orleans.

"I have never played New Orleans, so this will be a little exciting," Prima said before the show. "I still have a lot of relatives down there."

Prima says he has been having a great time since launching his new music career last year.

His band is in a groove that allows a lot of interaction.

"That's important," he said. "That's the way my father's band was. They always had a good time up onstage."

The younger Prima and his group have played some Italian festivals and recently completed a three-night gig at Sam's Town.

"The shows were full," he said. "We had a really good response. Everyone was up dancing."

Prima is still hoping for a long-term local gig, but at the same time is looking at performing around the country.

"We're in talks right now with a property in Atlantic City for a three-month engagement this summer," he said.

And they are looking at performing for more festivals.

"I would like to set up a base in Vegas, but then hit some of the major cities," Prima said.

Meanwhile, a biography of Louis Prima is expected to be released in the fall.

The book is being written by David Evanier, who wrote "Roman Candle: The Life of Bobby Darin."

"He's writing the book with my mother," Prima said. "He interviewed everybody in the world.

"We're trying to take this beyond Louis Prima, the guy onstage, and show the life behind the Las Vegas lounge performers.

"There was so much more to him than that."

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