Manuel Manetta

Who was Manuel Manetta?

Manuel "Fess" Manetta was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist. He was a fixture of the New Orleans jazz scene for much of the 20th century.

Manetta came from a family of brass players, and could play at least six instruments capably: violin, guitar, piano, cornet, saxophone, and trombone. He was able to play two brass instruments at the same time, including very late in his life. He played early in the 20th century with the Eagle Brass Band and the Tuxedo Brass Band, and was a veteran of Buddy Bolden's band.

He played in New Orleans for much of his career, but toured with Kid Ory in 1919 and with the Martels Family Band as a pianist in the 1920s. He played on riverboats with Ed Allen in that decade as well. He continued working up until his death, playing in the bands of Papa Celestin, Arnold Du Pas, Manuel Perez, and others.