The Camarata family tells a charming story about Anthony (b.1911-1964) playing the accordion at the tender age of 4 and loving it so much he would actually take his instrument to bed with him. At 15, following the footsteps of his father Charles, he began his professional musical career. He also partnered with his father in the family business as accordion instructors while also continuing to perform. Their accordions, were fatto a mano, handmade in Italy, most likely in Castelfidardo, once known as the international capital of accordion builders, personalized with the family name, Cammarata.

Parallel to his younger cousin Anthony (Tony) (b.1915-1963) also a musician, he played at popular nightclubs, major hotels, dinner dance clubs and live radio broadcasts in Chicago and beyond. He and his family, as well as his siblings (Joseph, Frank, Kathryn), eventually relocated to sunny Santa Cruz, California where he continued to perform.

Theatrical Chicago photo below, “The Sailor Boys” features Anthony on accordion.

Like many professional musicians, he was a union member of the Chicago Federation of Musicians from 1931-1964 that offered their members many benefits. He had hundreds of jobs around the country including engagements at the infamous Colosimos, The Strand Show Lounge, Tutzs Cocktail Bar, Knight Caravan, Hub Lounge, Charley’s Cocktail Lounge, The Fox Badger Theatre, Orlando 71 Club, Towne Club, Zanzes Rocky Falls, Terrace Club and Club Aloha to name a few. He played with the Carl Schreiber band, the Cal Cara Combo and other groups and orchestras.

One of his longest and more successful gigs (1937-1945) was playing with the Tripoli Trio at the swanky 606 Club in Chicago. Anthony played accordion with Giordano Pellonari (b.1892-1962) on guitar and vocals and Luis Orlando, bass.

The Tripoli Trio will spice the opening on Tuesday at the new Terrace Club, luxurious west side show lounge in Chicago. (cover page of Chicago’s Nite Life, published April 4, 1947).