Alexander Emil Caiola, born September 7, 1920 in Jersey City, New Jersey, was an American guitarist, composer, and arranger who emerged as a child prodigy on guitar and studied under Anthony Antone and Peter Milano. After serving as a trumpet player in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, he worked as a staff musician for CBS from 1946 to 1956, appearing on the radio show Sally and Sam and collaborating with Gordon MacRae, Archie Bleyer, and Patty Clayton. He released early recordings on Dot Records, including the 1956 album Squeeze Play, and contributed to the 1959 Columbia album Open Fire, Two Guitars with Tony Mottola and Johnny Mathis. In 1960, he signed with United Artists and recorded instrumental albums such as Guitars Woodwinds and Bongos, Italian Guitars, and Solid Gold Guitar. He achieved chart success with "The Magnificent Seven" (number 35 US, number 27 Canada, 1961) and "Bonanza" (number 19 US and Canada, 1961). His recordings included TV and film themes such as "Wagon Train", "The Ballad of Paladin", and "From Russia with Love", and he toured with Sergio Franchi in 1976 and Frank Sinatra in 1991. He recorded over 50 albums during his career and died in Allendale, New Jersey on November 9, 2016 at age 96.
