Background
Nino Tempo was born in Niagara Falls, New New York
Nino Tempo was born in Niagara Falls, New New York
A musical prodigy, he learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. When his family relocated to California, he featured on the Horace Heidt radio show, performing a Benny Goodman clarinet solo. A child actor, he worked in motion pictures in such movies as 1949"s The Red Pony and in 1953"s The Glenn Miller Story featuring James Stewart.
Via a Bobby Darin recording session, Tempo made connections with Atlantic Records and contracted with its subsidiary Atco Records.
During late 1973, a little less than ten years after "Deep Purple" had topped the Hot 100, Tempo scored #53 on his last Hot 100 hit with the (mostly) instrumental "Sister James" as Nino Tempo And 5th Avenue. Sax, an obvious play on Saks Fifth Avenue.
Recorded at Agricultural and Mechanical Records studio with the backing, writing, producing, and arranging of Jeff Barry, "Sister James" became one of the first instrumental disco records to score the national charts. "Sister James" is often classified as an example of Northern Soul.
During 1975, Tempo played saxophone on John Lennon"s album Rock "n" Roll, and was a featured soloist on The Kenny Rankin Album (1976).
Tempo continues to perform to the present day.
He was a sought-after session musician, working as a member of the famous session band the Wrecking Crew, also working with Elkie Brooks, and recording with Maynard Ferguson (Live at the Peacock, 1956).
