Gene (Cip) Cipriano

Gene (Cip) Cipriano began his musical career with the big bands led by such stars as Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, and Tex Beneke. He later moved to Los Angeles where he soon began his incredible career as a noted studio musician playing primarily the saxophone, oboe, flute, and clarinet. As a member of the Wrecking Crew, Cip can be heard on hundreds of hit recordings including the clever oboe intro to Frank Sinatra’s “It Was a Very Good Year.” He played for hundreds of movies and television programs, several under the musical direction of his longtime friend Henry Mancini. Cip has been given credit for popularizing the greeting “yo” by using the word all throughout his career.