Jimmy Mulidore

Autobiography: Jimmy Mulidore was a player all right. His saxophone took him from a poor Italian neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio, to the heights of Las Vegas, playing beside his mentor, James Moody. Mulidore didn’t just witness Las Vegas in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s; he lived it. From Sinatra to Elvis to drugs and the mob, Mulidore had an orchestra seat. And when it came to women? The saxophone wasn’t the only reason they called him “Maestro.” From the time Mulidore first hit town at the age of 19, he just knew he had a talent. One that would not be appreciated by gangsters and celebrities alike. Follow his unbelievable life in “The Vegas Player.” Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Jimmy took up the saxophone at the age of ten. Shortly thereafter, he added the classical clarinet, studying with one of the best teachers around, Albert Calderone. He spent his high school years frequenting the Cleveland jazz clubs, soaking up the influences of such greats as James Moody, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Clifford Brown. When he was old enough, his summers were spent on tour with Billy May, Hal McIntyre, and Ralph Marterie. At Ohio State University, he was chosen solo clarinetist for their orchestra. Impatient with his progress at Ohio State, Jimmy took off for New York’s Juilliard School of Music, where he studied theory and composition with Hall Overton. While studying, he often sat in with Phil Wood’s group at the Pink Elephant After moving to Las Vegas, Mulidore played with Red Norvo, Sinatra, Streisand and Nat King Cole. He is most proud of his flute solo on Elvis Presley’s “American Trilogy.” Jimmy was the musical director for both the Hilton and Flamingo Hotels. During those years, he conducted for such stars as Louis Armstrong, Ann-Margret, Gladys Knight and Olivia Newton-John. While his first love is the tenor sax, Jimmy’s impeccable style comes through just as lovingly on the English horn, flute, clarinet and bassoon.