Andy Sannella

[4] After serving in the US Navy during World War I, Sannella spent the years 1920–1922 in Panama City working on violin and alto saxophone with various orchestras.

He then settled in New York City where he played with the bands of Dan Gregory, Mike Markel and – not least – Ray Miller.

In addition to working with larger orchestras Sannella also appeared with many smaller studio groups accompanying popular singers of the time such as Art Gillham, Cliff Edwards, Frank Crumit, Seger Ellis and Johnny Marvin.

Amongst many other things Mosiello and Sannella (together with accordionist Charles Magnante) formed the nucleus of the prolific house band of the Grey Gull Company of Boston during the years 1926–1930.

In addition to performing the popular tunes of the day Mosiello and Sannella were allowed to wax several instrumental numbers of their own, often appearing as B-sides on the company's "pop" records.

On these records Sannella is mainly featured playing alto saxophone, clarinet and steel guitar, often switching between all these instruments during the same number and thus giving them a very special noticeable sound.

However, for other labels Sannella was allowed to record with bands under his own name (ranging from trios to full dance orchestras) given proper credit.

Labels for which Sannella recorded under his own name included Harmony, Columbia, Okeh, Victor and Hit of the Week.

Andy Sannella in the mid-1930s.
The label of an issue of Sannella's composition Needin' You on the Van Dyke label.
Hit of the Week record by Sannella's orchestra.