Phil Napoleon was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 2, 1901 with the name Filippo Napoli. He was a classically trained trumpet player who played in front of audiences at the age of five. He preferred playing Dixieland Jazz.
In 1917 he formed The Original Memphis Five with Miff Mole on trombone and Frank Signorelli on piano. This group recorded hundreds of songs under the name The Original Memphis Five. They also recorded under a variety of pseudonyms: Bailey's Lucky Seven, The Southland Six, Ladd's Black Aces, Jazzbo's Carolina Serenaders, Charleston Chasers, and Napoleon's Emperors. After the Original Memphis Five broke up in 1928, Napoleon made a living as a studio musician until 1937. Then he formed his own orchestra, but his efforts bore no fruit and he returned to session and studio work. In 1946, he took the spot he was offered in Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra. A year later he returned to New York City and to studio work for NBC. In 1950 he reformed the Original Memphis Five. This group played at Nick's in New York City for the next six years. In 1956, Napoleon relocated to Miami. There he opened his own club called “Napoleon's Retreat,” featuring a house jazz band led by the owner. Stylistically, he was halfway between Bix Beiderbecke and Nick LaRocca & the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. Phjl Napoleon died October 1, 1990.