Philip Joseph Patelmo (January 28, 1926–December 3, 1998) was a stand-up comedian and impressionist known by his stage name, Phil Jaye. Raised in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he performed for many years as part of a comedy and singing duo, The Jaye Brothers, with partner Jerry Jaye Aiena, and as a solo act.Jim Nicholson, "Phil Jaye, 72, Was Stand-up Comedian", Philadelphia Daily News, December 4, 1998.
Early life Phil Jaye was born and raised in a predominantly Italian community near Columbus Square Playground in South Philadelphia, the son of Thomas and Philomena Patelmo. He attended South Philadelphia High School. At 18 years old, Jaye went into the Armed Services and was stationed in Europe during World War II, where he was a machine gunner in an Army pillbox until the Special Services (USO) took him out of the pillbox and made him a drummer and a comedian. After the army, he returned to Philadelphia and began a career in the shoe repair business at the bottom level of Wanamaker's department store. He met and married Jean Maiorano, his wife of fifty years.
The Jaye Brothers By the 1950s, Phil teamed up with Jerry Aiena, a local singer and piano player, creating The Jaye Brothers, a comedy, dancing and singing duo. The Jaye Brothers were known for their recording of "Rag Mop"."Reviews of new pop records", Billboard, September 7, 1959; Howard Cook, "Distributor News", Billboard, September 21, 1959. The Jaye Brothers performed at area nightclubs like Palumbo's, Sciolla's, and the 500 Club in Atlantic CityPhilip H. Sokolic, Philadelphia Inquirer, October 29, 1992. and the summer circuit in Wildwood, New Jersey, as well as New York City's Latin Quarter, Las Vegas' Thunderbird and tours of Canada,"Floor Shows: Gatineau Club", Ottawa Citizen, June 16, 1956. Mexico, and Europe.
Solo performer Jerry "Jaye" grew tired of the traveling and by the late sixties decided to leave show business. Phil Jaye made the decision to go solo, and he continued to perform for several decades.Jack Lloyd, "Presto! This Magician Is Quite A Chango" Philadelphia Inquirer, October 16, 1992. He told jokes and did musical impersonations of performers such as Dean Martin, Anthony Newley, Louie Armstrong, Louis Prima and Boris Karloff.
Phil Jaye was a regular participant in the Variety Club's "Old News Boys Day" charity event. He also hosted the Annual Phil Jaye Celebrity Golf Tournament to aid the American Cancer Society.
Death Phil "Jaye" Patelmo died on December 3, 1998, of colon cancer. He and his wife Jean had one daughter, Maria, who later became a Pennsylvania state representative."Donatucci family business: The widow of a deceased state representative is on next week’s special election ballot." South Philly Review, January 27, 2011.
Television appearances Dick Clark's Band Stand The Paul Winchell Show Arthur Godfrey Time The Jackie Gleason Show The Jerry Blavat Show PBS "South Philadelphia Italian Style"
Recordings Rag Mop"....."The Old Two Beat"...."Ain't Nobody Here but us Chicckens",.."Pizza" (Wynne Records) Album: The Singing Comedians"....Strand Records
Movies "The BLock" (Myers & Benson Production); "Straw to an Inside straight (Saber Productions); "Disk-O-Tek Holiday" (Allied Artist)
References
"PARADE MAGAZINE" in Boston Sunday Globe, "Variety", "Philadelphia Daily News", Philadelphia Inquirer", "Philadelphia Bulletin", Philadelphia Review"