Nino Tempo

Antonino LoTempio (January 6, 1935 – April 10, 2025) was an American musician, singer, and actor. He was a duet partner with his older sister April Stevens as well as the frontman for a 1970s funk band, 5th Ave. Sax.

Biography Early life Antonino LoTempio was born in Niagara Falls, New York. A musical prodigy, he learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. He won a talent show at four years of age and appeared on television with Benny Goodman at age seven. When his family moved to California, he was featured on the Horace Heidt radio show, performing a Benny Goodman clarinet solo.

Film A child actor, he appeared in The Red Pony and in The Glenn Miller Story featuring James Stewart.

Music career Tempo was a sought-after session musician, working as a member of the famous session band the Wrecking Crew, performing with Elkie Brooks, and recording with Maynard Ferguson (Live at the Peacock, 1956). Via a Bobby Darin recording session, Tempo made connections with Atlantic Records and signed with its subsidiary Atco Records.

However, Nino Tempo was known best for his 1963 duet "Deep Purple" on Atco with his sister Carol (singing under the stage name April Stevens), which was No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song won the 1964 Grammy Award for Best Rock And Roll Recording, selling more than one million copies and earning a gold disc.

During late 1973, a little less than ten years after "Deep Purple" had topped the Hot 100, Tempo formed Nino Tempo and 5th Ave. Sax, which had the hit "Sister James," reaching #53 on the Hot 100 on October 27. Recorded at A&M Records studio with the backing, writing, producing, and arranging of Jeff Barry, "Sister James" became one of the first instrumental disco records to score the national charts. "Sister James" is often classified as an example of Northern Soul.

During 1975, Tempo played saxophone on John Lennon's album Rock 'n' Roll, and was a featured soloist on The Kenny Rankin Album (1976).

Voice work In the 1980s he was a voice actor for multiple Garfield TV specials.

Death Tempo died at his home in West Hollywood, California, on April 10, 2025 at the age of 90.

Discography

Singles

As sideman With Maynard Ferguson Dimensions (EmArcy, 1955) With the Modern Jazz Quartet MJQ & Friends: A 40th Anniversary Celebration (Atlantic, 1994)