Andrea Mazzotti
Italian, c. 1892 - 1948
BirthplaceSalerno, Italy
BiographyAndrea Mazzotti was born in Salerno, Italy circa 1892, and immigrated to Pittsburgh in 1913, at the age of 21. Trained as a musician in Italy, he specialized in baritone, trombone, and violin and worked as a session musician for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and in bands throughout the city. While it was uncommon for an immigrant to make a living as a professional musician playing anything other than ethnic standards in the 1920s and 1930s, Mazzotti was fortunate to find work during the Great Depression through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and played both classical and popular American music. He also worked as a conductor and tutor, teaching at Volkwein Brothers' Studio. Mazzotti was unable to participate in the draft during WWII due to his poor eyesight and instead used his musical talents to participate in War Bond rallies throughout the region. Besides working as a musician, he also sold life insurance through the Knights Life Insurance Company of America; during one sales outing, Mazzotti was robbed and took to carrying a blackjack after the incident. He died on March 22, 1948.
