Gene Cipriano

1928 - 2022

July 6, 1928 - November 12, 2022 Gene "Cip" Cipriano passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family and friends, on November 12, 2022. He was 94. Gene was one of Hollywood's most recorded musicians, playing on endless Film and Television soundtracks and Jazz and Pop albums.

Gene was born in New Haven, Connecticut to Fred and Louise Cipriano on July 6, 1928. At the age of eight, while taking clarinet lessons from his father, Gene knew he wanted to be a musician. This enthusiasm inspired him to also learn the Flute, Oboe, and Saxophone.

While still in high school, Gene got a job playing with the Ted Fio Rito Band, where he met Doc Severinsen. After finishing high school, Gene played with the Tony Pastor Band, where he met Rosemary Clooney. Gene then moved to New York and joined the Tex Beneke Band, where he met Henry Mancini. And later, Gene played with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, where he met his future wife Frances Irvin. Gene and Frances were married on February 7, 1953, moved to California, and raised four children - Genie, Suzanne, Fred, and Paul.

Shortly after moving to California, Gene was hired by Henry Mancini to play Flute on a new TV Show called "Peter Gunn." From that point on, Gene's music career took off. His Motion Picture credits included Some Like it Hot, West Side Story, Cleopatra, Charade, The Thomas Crown Affair, and The Wild Bunch - to name just a few. Every time Tony Curtis played the Saxophone in Some Like it Hot, that was Gene playing. His Television credits included My Three Sons, Batman, Mission Impossible, Star Trek, Hawaii Five-O, Columbo, Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, The Simpsons, and Family Guy - again, to name just a few. His Jazz credits included his work with Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Shelly Manne, Gerry Mulligan, and Shorty Rogers. Then, the Pop Artists came calling. Gene worked with Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Elton John, Frank Zappa, Glen Campbell, Helen Reddy, Barry Manilow, and dozens more. Plus, at times, Gene would play with the Wrecking Crew, a group of studio musicians who recorded with Artists such as The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, The Monkees, Nancy Sinatra, and Sonny and Cher.

Gene is also credited for being part of the Emmy Awards, the Grammy Awards, and the Academy Awards. He was a member of the Academy Awards Orchestra since 1958, and only missed three shows. His favorite word being "Yo," Gene was heard during the 1977 Academy Awards telecast shouting out "Yo" to Barbra Streisand, as she was accepting an award. And Barbra "Yo'd" back.

In 2005, Gene recorded his own CD, First Time Out - a collection of Jazz tunes performed by Gene and his close musician buddies. Natalie Cole gave Gene the idea for the title.

About four years after Gene's wife Frances passed away, he met singer Catherine "Cat" Conner. The two became inseparable, and even formed a small band, performing all over Los Angeles and sometimes beyond. Cat remained by Gene's side and took care of him up until his passing.

Gene will be missed for his infectious laugh, his big smile, and his big heart. He was always positive, upbeat, and a joy to be around. Gene will be remembered for his outstanding traits of talent and humility. And he always had an encouraging word for younger musicians just starting out. Gene truly was a person everyone looked up to with admiration, respect, and love. His was a life very well lived.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Louise Cipriano, his older sister Josephine Laudano, his younger brother Anthony Cipriano, and his wife Frances Cipriano. Gene is survived by his four children Genie Bell (Phil Bell), Suzanne Christensen, Fred Cipriano, and Paul Cipriano; his two grandchildren Grant Bell (Maggie Bell) and Alicia Bell; his two great grandchildren Natalie Bell and Emily Bell; his younger sister Marie DeMusis; and Catherine "Cat" Conner.

Services will be held at a later date.