‘It’s The Wildest!’ to Feature the Music of Louis Prima and Keely Smith at Bombyx April 19 

FLORENCE, MA, March 18, 2026 – Well-known local musician, Holyoke resident, and creator of Mount Holyoke College’s “The Big Broadcast,” Mark Gionfriddo will perform with local singer Nikki Gorts and a five-piece band in “It’s The Wildest!” featuring the music of Louis Prima and Keely Smith, Sunday April 19, 2026, at Bombyx in Florence. Showtime is 3 p.m.

 

The premiere performance of “The Wildest!” was held at Bombyx in November of 2025 and was met with rave reviews from the audience.

 

“A fabulous performance. The voices; the band!! We were transported to another era. Get the word out on this group. We'll be following so we can experience every performance!” - Sally W.

 

“What a performance! How to find the adequate words...sublime, next level, magnificent? So fortunate to have this kind of talent and such reverence for this musical era in our valley. And oh, those arrangements! Can't wait to see and hear this ensemble again!” - Charlene G.

 

Gionfriddo describes “It’s The Wildest!” as an exciting, tune-filled tribute to the music of Prima and Smith. “The Wildest” was the title of a 1956 album by the two.

 

In the 1950s, Prima and Smith turned a tiny Las Vegas lounge into the most swinging after-hours party with a mix of jazz, swing, novelty music, and rock ‘n roll. Gionfriddo, Gorts and a five-piece band pay homage to this renowned duo featuring gems from the American Popular Songbook, including “Jump, Jive ‘N Wail,” “Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home,” “Embraceable You,” “I Wish You Love,” and “That Old Black Magic.”

 

Gionfriddo, a faculty member at Mount Holyoke College, has been creator and producer of “The Big Broadcast,” the annual 1940’s variety show at the college for the last 20 years. He is also keyboardist and band director for the Young@Heart Chorus, as well as musical director of “Torch Song Tuesdays,” the monthly cabaret series at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield.

 

 Gorts is a singer and theatre artist from Easthampton. She’s been performing throughout western Massachusetts for 25 years and recently joined the cast of “The Big Broadcast.” as a foley artist.

 

 Raised in Springfield, she received a degree in Music from Westfield State University in 2001 and subsequently toured professionally with a children’s theatre company. Gorts has also appeared onstage with many local theatre groups over the years, including K&E theatre group, the Majestic Theater, Exit 7 Players, and Opera House Players. 

Tickets are $15 for students and seniors; $20 general admission; $25 for premier seating, and are available online at https://bombyx.ludus.com/select.php