William Nappi & His Orchestra - If You Just Knew

William Nappi, almost forgotten today, was a bandleader, composer and trumpet player who was important in Alabama's musical life. Only very scarce information is available. He is known to have led one of Birmingham's (AB) most popular jazz bands from the 1930s-1970s. His big band played regularly at the Tutwiler Hotel in the 30's, and in the 40's, held concerts in several Birmingham parks every Sunday for nearly twenty years. One highlight of Nappi's long career was a trip to Hollywood to play at several movie studios. Only three sides by his orchestra were recorded in 1926-1927, this one in 1926. As was to be expected, no pictures of the band or the sheet music were available. By lack of really relevant visual material, a picture of Colleen Moore eloquently illustrating the title of this catchy song was the starting point for a series of portraits of well-known, lesser known and sadly forgotten actresses who were active in the 1920's.