Bill LaVorgna
William A. LaVorgna (1933–2007) was an American traditional pop and jazz musician (drums) who for many years was musical director for American actress, dancer and singer, Liza Minnelli. Life and work LaVorgna took up the drums as a child. He attended Paterson Central High School, from which he graduated in 1951. He then studied at New York University, where he earned degrees in music education and music. According to his wife, LaVorgna was never without work as a studio musician, having performed in an estimated 10,000 recording sessions over his career. His first recordings were made in the early 1960s with jazz guitarist Tony Mottola. Beginning with Pat Boone, LaVorgna began a long career in the pop music field, working with singers such as Eddie Fisher, Bobby Darin, Judy Garland, James Brown, the Four Seasons, and The Toys, ringing up 19 million-sellers and many number one records. In the field of jazz LaVorgna was involved in 35 recording sessions between 1961 and 1987. He performed with Sam Most, Stan Free, Toots Thielemans, Phil Woods, Spanky McFarlane, Marvin Stamm, Patrick Williams, Gary McFarland, and Paul Desmond. In the 1970s he also recorded with Gary Burton, Urbie Green, Joe Thomas, Kimiko Kasai,