Ralph Marterie (24 December 1914 – 10 October 1978) was an Italian big-band leader born in Acerra (near Naples), Italy. == Life and career == Marterie first played professionally at age 14 in Chicago. In the 1940s, he played trumpet for various bands. His first job as a bandleader was courtesy of the US Navy during World War II. He was then hired by the ABC Radio network, and the reputation built from these broadcasts led to a recording contract... [more on Wikipedia]