Authentic, Vintage Black & White Promotional / Publicity Photograph. Featuring bandleader Ralph Marterie performingon his trumpet. Measures approximately 8x10 including white border. Condition: This is an original photograph, not a copy or reproduction. It is in excellent condition. Comments: Ralph Marterie (24 December 1914 - 10 October 1978) was a big-band leader born in Acerra (near Naples), Italy. His highest success in the U.S. charts was a cover of "Skokiaan" in 1954. In 1953 he recorded a version of Bill Haley's "Crazy, Man, Crazy", which is generally regarded as the first rock and roll song. His version of "Crazy, Man, Crazy" reached #13 on the Billboard jockey chart and #11 on Cashbox in June, 1953. His recordings of "Pretend" and "Caravan" also made the Top 10. "Caravan" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. In 1957, he hit #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Tricky", and in 1957 he hit #10 with "Shish-Kebab". His compositions included "Dancing Trumpet", "Dry Marterie", and "Carla".