Louis (Luigi) Biamonte Mike Biollo Father Giovanni Bonelli Camillo Bridarolli Mr. & Mrs. Henry Butti John Camarta Domenico Chiarello Joe Fabbri Mario Grassi Victor Losa Filomena Michetti Mrs. Mamie Meardi Tony Nimis Giorgio W. & Norma Pocaterra Mr. & Mrs. John Segatti Romano Tedesco & Mrs. Irma Giacobbo Angelo Toppano

Luigi Biamonte came to Edmonton c1910 at the age of 13.  He joined a brother and some cousins who were working at the Diamond Coal Mine in Clover Bar, near Edmonton.  He came from Italy with a musical background, his salvation, as it got him work in bands and helped stave off bouts of homesickness. Louis enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow countrymen when his band traveled to and played at dances for the Italian farming community of Naples.  Music was a companion throughout his life; his band played at political rallies; his brother Sergio(?), another musician, had an 85 member band; his nephew, Tony, was a media celebrity; Lori Biamonte (great niece? granddaughter?) is an Edmonton singer of note.

Besides his music, he also earned a living working as a water boy on the railway in the Coal Branch before going to barber school and opening his own shop.

The interview was conducted by Sab Roncucci for the Dante Alighieri Oral History Project in 1973.

This oral history project was initiated by Sabatino Roncucci, a founder of the Dante Alighieri Society, for the purpose of documenting immigration history so that it could be shared not only with the Italian community but also the community at large.

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