09/02/2026
Saint Louis lost one of the most influential and legendary musicians yesterday (9/1/26)
Joe F. Bozzi, (92 years) an entertainer, master of the trumpet and vibraphone, and an inspiration to decades of musicians, Joe left a memorable legacy in the local and world music scene.
Attending old Central High School in St. Louis, Joe became interested in music at ten years old from listening to drum and bugle corps of the sons and daughters of veterans of World War II that his father, Carlo, who was born in Italy and had served in WWII, were family friends with.
In younger years Joe studied with Italian clarinet player, Joe Falsetti and symphony trumpet player Joe Carione, receiving his bachelor's degree in music education from the Saint Louis Institute of Music, Conservatory and School for the Arts (CASA).
In the 1950s Joe performed in the iconic Gaslight Square at George Edick's ‘Roaring Twenties Club’ and the famous ‘Club Imperial’ working with Ike and Tina Turner and performing several years at The Pl***oy Club backing up music legends Dizzie Gillespie and Cannonball Adderley. Moving into the 1960s Bozzi backed up the Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr when in St Louis playing at the Chase Park Plaza.
Joe inspiringly taught music for many decades at various Catholic elementary and high schools heading numerous music programs across the Saint Louis area. The legendary Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan first learned music and how to play trombone under Joe Bozzi’s tutelage while in grade school. Acclaimed jazz drummer Dave Weckl played in ‘The Joe Bozzi Band’ working under Bozzi creating lifelong connections.
In 1969 Joe fabulously recorded 'Trumpet Italiano,' at Universal City Studios in Hollywood while being signed to Decca Records. He furthered his career recording “Nice Vibes and a Trumpet” and "Joe Bozzi Quintet on Stage” in later years.
In most recent times Joe Bozzi performed monthly with his All Star Band for thirteen years at Evangeline’s Bistro & Music House in the Central West End Saint Louis. The shows were iconic like no other, special in all ways as only a worldly talented entertainer would do. We are forever grateful to have been part of and enjoy all the love for music he gave every time, from his warming up his trumpet backstage in the kitchen to his genuine smiles, laughter and memories time after time, after every show he would bring home an order of red beans or jambalaya to share with his wife, Marsha. We will never forgot these times.
We wish Marsha, Joe’s amazing children and all his grandchildren all the love and happiness the world has to give them.❤️
Count it off, Joe! Thank you for making life, always, ‘What a Wonderful World’.🎶
“Music has been in my life all my life,” "I've only ever played and taught, and I really love to do it. You might say it's my passion. And I will never retire”
--Joe F Bozzi
