Jackie was born in Nutley, New Jersey to an Italian-American family; his uncle Chick had been a guitarist with Paul Whiteman's famous Orchestra.
Jackie was a very popular child entertainer in vaudeville, a pint-sized song and dance man, who shared the stage with—and was encouraged by—such legendary black headliners as Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and The Mills Brothers.
After serving in the army during World War II, Jackie, inspired by his friend Nat King Cole, put together a trio featuring himself on guitar and vocals.

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