Saxophonist and bandleader ‘Reds’ Popoli was a member of the Harold Roe Quartette / Skyliners. In 1957 led his own group the JazzStars at the Celebrity Club.
Popoli and his groups, consisting of trios to big bands, played most Baltimore clubs of note from the 1950s through the ‘70s including the Surf Club, Minnick’s, Keystone Jazz Room, Carousel, Famous Ballroom, Wishing Well, Eudowood Gardens, Parkville K of C… In addition to club work they performed for many high school dances and proms.
Popoli’s big band in the ‘60s “really cooked” according to drummer Frank Speciale, “We had a marvelous group that sounded bigger than it really was. We had 4 horns and 3 rhythm. (It was a) very professional group at the time. Everyone had to read. Reds had his brother Mike Popoli on alto, brother Tony Popoli on trombone, Reds on trumpet, Richie Trotta on tenor sax, me on drum kit, and can’t remember piano and bass player.” Speciale was with the group only briefly. “It was very strange because before I went with Reds, I worked at the Club Hi-Fi with a Western Swing group (led by) Bobby Brown and his wife.” Frank later worked with Helmut Licht and many others.
