Jack Costanzo

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Oral History Information

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Musician, Bongist

Jack Costanzo, also known as Mr. Bongo, nearly single-handedly (sorry for the pun) brought the bongo to enormous popularity in the 1950s. Jack recorded top selling albums, appeared on TV and in the movies, and gained a fan following at the height of the “lounge sound,” as it has come to be known. In a few famous TV guest spots during the 1950s, Jack gave bongo lessons to actor Marlon Brando, who became quite good on the instrument. His passion for playing never dwindled.  Jack played until his passing at the age of 98 in August 2018.