Saxophonist Sam Butera (August 17, 1927 – June 3, 2009) is best known for the time he spent backing Louis Prima and Keely Smith. He started his career in New Orleans, but moved to Las Vegas in the early 50's when Louis Prima called his brother desperately needing a band to back him at The Sahara's Casbar Lounge. Leaving behind the Shim Sham club and New Orleans, he brought the rollicking New Orleans Rock n Roll sound to Las Vegas and stayed active in show biz throughout the ensuing decades. A dynamic and active septuagenarian, Butera continued to play regularly the clubs on the Vegas strip and occasional tour forays into the early millennium.

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