Al Viola: The Guitarist Behind the Scenes of Pop and Jazz
Al Viola was a versatile American session guitarist whose playing graced countless classic recordings and film scores. His career, spanning over five decades, is defined by his foundational work with Frank Sinatra and his adaptability across jazz, pop, and Hollywood soundstages.
Early career
Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1919, Al Viola began his professional journey in the vibrant swing era. He first gained attention as a member of the Page Cavanaugh Trio in the late 1940s, a group known for its sophisticated jazz harmonies and which frequently accompanied a young Frank Sinatra.
Breakthrough
Viola's association with Sinatra solidified into a long-term collaboration beginning in the 1950s. His nylon-string guitar work became an integral part of the singer's intimate, saloon-song style, most famously on the 1955 album In the Wee Small Hours. This Capitol Records release is considered a landmark in concept album history and helped define the torch song genre.
Key tracks
In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning — Viola's delicate guitar introduction sets the melancholic tone for the entire album.
Moon River — He provided the iconic guitar accompaniment for Andy Williams's 1961 hit version of this Henry Mancini classic.
The Godfather Waltz — Viola performed the haunting solo guitar passages on Nino Rota's Oscar-winning score for the 1972 film.
Strangers in the Night — His guitar is woven into the arrangement of Sinatra's 1966 number-one pop single.
Love and Marriage — This upbeat Sinatra track from 1955 also features Viola's crisp, rhythmic playing.
Beyond his pivotal role with Sinatra, Al Viola was a first-call studio musician in Los Angeles. He recorded with a staggering array of artists including Sammy Davis Jr., Bing Crosby, and Julie Andrews. His film and television work extended to scores for The Wild Bunch, Bullitt, and the theme for the television series M*A*S*H.
For fans of Al Viola's seamless blend of jazz sensibility and pop accompaniment, explore similar artists featured on our site. Listen to Page Cavanaugh for the sophisticated trio jazz that launched Viola's career. Discover Barney Kessel for another masterful guitarist from the same era of studio sessions. Check out Wes Montgomery for influential jazz guitar with a pop crossover appeal. The work of Henry Mancini also frequently featured session players like Viola in its lush arrangements.
Al Viola's music remains in steady rotation on a variety of radio formats, from classic pop and jazz standards stations to dedicated film score channels. His contributions are celebrated on specialty programs focusing on the Great American Songbook and the history of studio musicianship across independent music radio stations.
The extensive catalog of Al Viola, from his intimate sessions with Frank Sinatra to his iconic film work, can be heard on the radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover the depth of his influence by tuning into the classic pop and jazz stations available on onairium.com.
