Paul Ferrara
A Life in Rhythm
February 4, 1938 – December 3, 2014
A Natural-Born Talent
What made Paul truly exceptional wasn’t just his remarkable speed—though he could fly across the drums with breathtaking precision. It was his soft touch, his intuitive sense of when to back off and let the music breathe, and a dexterity that set him apart. Paul possessed that rare ability to be both powerful and subtle, knowing instinctively when to drive the band forward and when to lay back in the pocket.
Immensely gifted and entirely self-taught, Paul never received formal training. He learned by listening, by feeling, by living the music. In recording sessions, he’d simply ask someone to “play a little” from the sheet music, and that’s all he needed to catch the beat and make it his own. This intuitive approach to music became his signature—he didn’t just read the notes, he read the soul of the song.
Roots in New Orleans
Born to Sicilian immigrants Martin Robert and Sarah Ferrara on February 4, 1938, in New Orleans, Paul grew up surrounded by the rich musical heritage of the Crescent City. The sounds of jazz, blues, and rhythm filled the streets of his childhood, seeping into his very bones. It was a city where music wasn’t just entertainment—it was a way of life. Paul was introduced to audiences at a remarkably young age, honing his craft in the very birthplace of jazz. By his teenage years, he was already turning heads with his natural talent and infectious energy behind the drums.
The Louis Prima Era: From Bourbon Street to the Bright Lights
His big break came at seventeen, performing at The Famous Door on Bourbon Street. When Louis Prima witnessed the young drummer’s electrifying talent, he pointed and declared, “I need that boy!” At just eighteen, Paul Ferrara became the heartbeat of the hottest act in Las Vegas, alongside Prima and saxophonist Sam Butera.
While drummer Bobby Morris laid down the iconic studio tracks for Prima’s seminal 1956 Capitol album The Wildest!, Paul soon became the driving force of the band’s live television and film persona. From 1959 to 1962, he was Prima’s primary drummer on a series of vibrant Dot Records albums including Louis and Keely! (1959), Together (1960), and Wonderland by Night (1960).
His creative contribution reached its zenith with the 1958 hit single of “That Old Black Magic.” It was Ferrara who suggested the song’s now-legendary “jazz mambo” opening, a stroke of arranging genius for which he received a standard union wage of thirty-five dollars. That recording, featuring his distinctive intro, won a Grammy in 1959 and forever linked his groove to a classic. His dynamic performance was also captured in the 1959 feature film Hey Boy! Hey Girl!, cementing his image as the engine of Prima’s explosive stage show.
Return to New Orleans: The Al Hirt Years
In the 1960s, Paul returned home to New Orleans, where his heart had always remained. There, he joined forces with the legendary trumpeter Al Hirt, beginning a partnership that would span nearly two decades.
As Hirt’s regular touring and club drummer, Paul provided the impeccable, swinging foundation for the trumpeter’s popular sound. He is credited on key recordings like the 1961 album Al (He’s The King) Hirt And His Band and the 1963 smash hit single “Java.” His powerful, versatile playing also drove the performances captured on later compilations such as Super Jazz 1 (1975) and Live at the Al Hirt Club. Alongside his recording work, Paul was a fixture on national television with Hirt, appearing on The Tonight Show, The Johnny Cash Show, and The Dinah Shore Show, bringing the authentic, driving sound of New Orleans jazz into living rooms across America.
Leading His Own Bands & Global Ambassador
Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Paul stepped into the spotlight as a bandleader, touring with his own ensembles and reuniting with childhood friends. These groups allowed Paul to explore his own musical vision while staying true to the traditional jazz that shaped him.
Paul’s career made him a global ambassador for jazz. With Hirt and his own groups, he performed on nearly every continent, for millions of fans and world leaders. He carried the spirit of New Orleans to the world, speaking the universal language of rhythm and swing.
Recognition, Legacy & The Man Behind the Drums
Paul’s contributions earned him extraordinary recognition, including induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and featuring in the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.
Those who knew Paul remember not just an extraordinary musician, but a warm, generous person. His treasured personal effects included letters from drumming legends Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, as well as correspondence from Keely Smith—testaments to the deep respect he commanded among the greatest artists of his era. He was a beloved mentor, always generous with his time and wisdom.
In Remembrance
Paul Ferrara passed away on December 3, 2014. His passing marked the loss of a direct link to the golden age of jazz and Vegas entertainment. But his music lives on.
Today, Paul Ferrara is remembered as one of New Orleans’ finest and most versatile percussionists. His legacy lives on in every beat and every rhythm. Listen to the Grammy-winning spark of “That Old Black Magic,” the driving force of Prima’s live shows, or the polished swing behind Al Hirt’s trumpet, and you’ll hear it—that unmistakable groove, that perfect balance of power and subtlety. That’s Paul Ferrara, a master who dedicated seven decades to making the world a more joyful place, one beat at a time.
