Alexander Emil Caiola (September 7, 1920 -- November 9, 2016) was an American guitarist, composer, and arranger born in Jersey City, New Jersey, who became one of the most in-demand session guitarists of the twentieth century.
Instrumental hits “Bonanza” (No. 19, 1961) and “The Magnificent Seven” (No. 38, 1961).
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In the Record§
He recorded over fifty albums and worked with Elvis Presley, Ray Conniff, Frank Sinatra, Percy Faith, Buddy Holly, Mitch Miller, Tony Bennett, and Astor Piazzolla, among many others.
His work spanned jazz, country, rock, and pop, and his guitar playing is embedded in some of the most commercially successful recordings of the 1950s and 1960s.
Sources§
- Wikipedia — Al Caiola — link
- Archive research: The Jersey City Sound, 2026
- Billboard chart history (Hot 100 / Billboard 200)
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