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Born
Luigi was born in Steubenville, Ohio. He was the eighth of eleven children born to immigrant Italian parents Nicholas and Antonette (Savoia). -
Coached by his Brother
Luigi's brother, Tony, coached him at a young age to enter into talent competitions. Luigi would sing, dance and do limber acrobatic tricks. -
Named "Steubenville's Own Bobby Breene"
This name is comparable to the male Shirley Temple. -
Toured America with Bernie Davis Orchestra
Luigi replaced Dean Martin and sang with the Bernie Davis Orchestra across America. -
Drafted to the Navy during WWII
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Moved to Hollywood
After serving in WWII Luigi wanted to focus his career so he moved to Hollywood. -
Fatal Car Accident
At the age of 21 Luigi was in a fatal car accident giving him a basal skull fracture, deep coma and paralysis down one side of his body. When he woke from his coma doctor's told him he would never walk again. However, Luigi determinely told them that he didn't want to walk that he wanted to dance. While in his coma he said that he thought to himself "Never stop moving kid, if you stop you're dead." -
His Famous Techinque
After his accident Luigi began creating a teachinque to help with his paralysis. This techinque is used for warming up before a Jazz class; however, this techinque was not created for Jazz but Ballet. Ballet was what Luigi was performing in motion pictures and he learned that his body was not ready to stand in fifth position. He used the ballet barre to help correct his injuries. He says that his techinque teaches the body to stand up without a barre. -
Asked to audition for MGM's On The Town
Luigi was seen by a talent scout and asked to audition for On the Town which starred Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. -
Given the nickname "Luigi"
While filming On the Town, Gene Kelly gave him the nickname of Luigi. -
Robert Alton encourage Luigi to teach Jazz.
In LA Robert Alton told Luigi that he has great style and that he should teach it, which led to Luigi teaching while working in films, live theatre, and TV shows. -
Performed "Happy Hunting" on Broadway
Luigi was brought to NYC to perform in the Broadway show "Happy Hunting" with Ethel Merman and Fernando Lamas. -
Opened the First World Jazz Center
This place was Luigi's first jazz studio. Aftering opening this studio he was given the chance to teach all over the world. -
Suffered a Stroke
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Still teaching at his Studio
Even being 87 years old Luigi continues to teach his style and technique at "The First World Jazz Center." However, after his stroke he has to walk with a cane and hold onto the barre. His assistant, Francis J. Roach, demonstrates the warm-up in front of the class whle Luigi gives contructive criticism to the class. -
Lifetime Achievment Award