Papa john defrancesco biography of albert

“Papa” John DeFrancesco, a beloved longtime presence on the Philadelphia jazz scene, died on June 25, 2024 in Maricopa, Arizona. He was 83. John was born September 12, 1940 in Niagara Falls, New York to his parents Joseph and Jenny DeFrancesco.

John a musical prodigy following in the footsteps of his father Joseph DeFrancesco who played sax with the Dorsey brother’s big band in the 1930’s and 40’s gave John trumpet lessons at age 6 and by age 13 John began playing in local nightclubs.

In 1956 at age 16 John formed an R&B band with his neighborhood musician friends playing and singing the hits of the era and releasing local recordings in the western NY Niagara Falls area attaining local popularity with his band “Johnny D and the Kings”.

On April 28, 1962 John married the love of his life Laurene Wright from their home town Niagara Falls, NY.

Shortly after their marriage inspired by John’s desire to transition fro