
Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Fontana learned jazz music from his father Collie, a saxophonist and violin player, and first performed with his father's band while in high school. Fontana attended the school known today as University of Louisiana Monroe for two years. He then transferred to Louisiana State University, receiving his degree in Music Education in 1950. His first break into the professional jazz scene came the following year, when in 1951 he was hired to stand in for one of Woody Herman's regular trombonists, Urbie Green.
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Polka Dots and Moonbeams
Take The "A" Train
It Might As Well Be Spring
I Thought About You
Shoutin' on a Riff
Soon
always
Showcase
America the Beautiful
Expubident
What's New
Carl
Intermission Riff
Scrapple From The Apple
Lester Leaps in
Intro - Blues
What's New?
A Beautiful Friendship
Ballad Medley - If You Could See Me Now / Come Back To Sorrento
There'll Never Be Another You
Sweet And Lovely
There Is No Greater Love
Daniel's Blues
Rebel Rouser
Buhaina
Blue lou
I've Got Rhythm
Ballad Medley - These Foolish Things / You Go To My Head / Darn That Dream / I Cover The Waterfront
What is this thing called love
I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
Littlebit
Jumpin' The Blues
I've Found A New Baby
The Party's Over
If I Only Had a Brain
Old Folks
Jive At Five
The Preacher
The Blues
I Could Write A Book
Whistle While You Work
Surrey With The Fringe On Top
You Don't Know What Love Is
Mole Hill
Emily
Straight No Chaser
Limelight
Just In Time
Caravan
As Time Goes By
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