Keywords Violinists

In his day one of Canada's most popular orchestra leaders, Romanelli became music director for United Hotels in Canada in 1923 and at his death had performed at the King Edward Hotel, Toronto, for more than 20 years, and at Manoir Richelieu, Murray Bay, Que, for four summers. Concurrently Romanelli's 11-piece radio orchestra, the Monarchs of Melody, was heard on CRBC and CBC and, occasionally, in the USA on NBC's 'Blue' network. Over the years his musicians included Johnny Burt, the saxophonist Nat Cassels, Trump Davidson, the trombonist-arranger Seymour 'Red' Ginzler, Alfie Noakes, and the bassist Gurney Titmarsh. The Romanelli orchestra made some 78s for HMV, Edison, and Bluebird. Romanelli also led a concert ensemble which included his father, Joseph, Leo Barkin, Charles Mathé, and Titmarsh. His brother-in-law, violinist Enrico Del Greco, was concertmaster.

Two of Romanelli's brothers were also violinists and orchestra leaders in Toronto. Don (1891-1960) played in his teens with the dance band of Charles Bodley, organized bands as early as 1918 for the Lake Ontario cruise ships Cayuga and Chippewa, and led the orchestra at the Royal York Hotel in the early 1930s. Leo (1902-1961) joined the Monarchs of Melody at 17 and later became assistant director, assuming the leadership on his brother's death. He later led the orchestra at the King Edward Hotel.

Author Helen McNamara

Links to Other Sites
Dance Bands From Canada 1922-1930
A fact-filled history of Canada’s dazzling dance bands that were popular during the 1920s and 30s. From the Canadian Antique Phonograph Society.