Gene Cipriano Obituary, Death – Gene Cipriano, aka “Cip,” died in 2022. He was one of the session musicians who has ever played on the most recordings ever made, and he was revered in the Los Angeles recording industry. He played reed instruments in virtually every style on the tens of thousands of albums, singles, television shows, film scores, and commercials that Cip was a part of.
As well as the tenor saxophone solo that Tony Curtis plays in “Some Like It Hot,” Cip plays a clarinet solo in E-flat in the song “Baby Elephant Walk” that is featured in Hatari (1959). On recordings, he has worked with a variety of artists, including Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, and Thelonius Monk, amongst others. He was a member of the pit orchestra for the Academy Awards for a number of years and has played a number of gigs in the Los Angeles area.
Cip and John Williams worked together to record a number of jazz albums during the 1950s and 1960s. One of these albums, Henry Mancini’s PETER GUNN, was one of the results of their collaboration.
Dan Higgins was one of the many younger musicians who benefited from his teaching and guidance during their time in the music industry. “In Los Angeles, Gene and his family helped me feel at ease and at home.
Gene had no trouble locating the music. Everything was fine with just a simple “yo,” from the earliest big band adventures to the most detailed recording sessions. Cip was extremely encouraging of the sound, feel, and overall balance of his part. He had a sophisticated and witty approach to music, just like the other members of his section. Gene had no trouble locating the music. Everything was fine with just a simple “yo,” from the earliest big band adventures to the most detailed recording sessions. Gene had no trouble locating the music. Everything was fine with just a simple “yo,” from the earliest big band adventures to the most detailed recording sessions.”
Gene Cipriano was a musician who belonged to a generation that won’t exist anymore for much longer, but he was truly one of a kind. The music community in Los Angeles lost several important figures this year, including those listed below (Tommy Morgan, Vince De Rosa, Sheridon Stokes, Mike Lang).
