Phil Napoleon, born Filippo Napoli on September 2, 1901, in Boston, Massachusetts, was a pioneering jazz trumpeter and cornetist. Despite his significant contributions to early jazz, he is often overlooked in jazz history. Napoleon began playing the trumpet at a young age, performing publicly by the age of five. He was surrounded by a musically inclined family, with brothers George and Joe as saxophonists, Matthew as a guitarist, and Ted as a drummer. His nephews, Teddy and Marty Napoleon, became notable pianists in the 1940s and 1950s.

At 12, Napoleon ran away to New Orleans, immersing himself in the city's vibrant music scene. Although he reportedly recorded as a classical cornetist at 15, jazz captivated him more. Inspired by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and W.C. Handy’s “Memphis Blues,” Napoleon formed the Original Memphis Five in late 1917. He settled in New York, where his technical prowess and sight-reading skills made him a sought-after freelancer.

Napoleon made his recording debut in July 1921 with Lanin’s Southern Serenaders, featuring Jimmy Durante on piano. His early recordings included "Memphis Blues" and "The St. Louis Blues," and he continued to record with groups like Ladd’s Black Aces and Bailey’s Lucky Seven. Before jazz legends like Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke made their first recordings, Napoleon's legato phrasing and melodic style set him apart from his contemporaries, who favored staccato phrasing and novelty effects.

By 1922, Napoleon's recording career accelerated, and he was instrumental in popularizing jazz as both dance music and party soundtracks. His Original Memphis Five, which initially included trombonist Miff Mole, became prolific in the studio. Napoleon's subtle improvisation and warm sound laid the groundwork for future jazz developments, even preceding Louis Armstrong's influence in New York. Despite not being a virtuoso like Armstrong, Napoleon's contributions to jazz were significant, though often underappreciated.