Jack Costanzo is well-known and responsible for the worldwide popularity of bongos. When he was in the Stan Kenton Band, he introduced bongos to American music. This brought him jazz stardom. Stan recorded Jack many of his favorite songs, including The Peanut Vendor and Bongo Riff. There were also fifty other recordings. Stan Kenton also saw Jack at Carnegie Hall, breaking all attendance records. Jack was then joined by the late Nat King Cole, causing the King Cole Trio’s name to be changed into Nat King Cole and The Trio featuring Jack Costanzo. Jack was a recording artist on many King Cole hits including Calypso Blues and Lover Come Back to Me, Lush Life. Alakazam, Yes Sir That’s My Baby, and Alakazam. Jack was with Nat for almost five years and appeared all over the globe, including at the Palladium. Jack appeared on three episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show, and was also featured on each episode. Jack was featured in Miss Lee’s act across the country after Nat King Cole. Jack Costanzo was also featured in Betty Grable’s show and with Judy Garland, Jane Powell and Ray Anthony.
