Frank Rosolino

Frank Rosolino (trombone, composer, vocalist) was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 20, 1926 and came from an all-musical family. Took up guitar at age ten then trombone. Played with Bob Chester from 1946 to 1947, then on to Glen Gray in 1947, Gene Krupa in 1948-49, earning recognition there as a trombonist and scat/comedy singer, later with Tony Pastor until the end of 1949, Herbie Fields in 1950, Georgie Auld in 1951, then fronted his own group in Detroit during the early 1950's.

Joined the Stan Kenton Orchestra in 1952 and stayed through 1954, left Kenton and settled in California working at the Lighthouse jazz club into the late 1950's. Did countless soundtrack and recording dates with Quincy Jones, Elmer Bernstein, Shorty Rogers and others. Toured Europe with Conte Candoli, and the United States with Benny Carter and played with Supersax in the 1970's.

Rosolino's expressive style, individual sound, and humorous touches, both in his playing and singing, established him as an outstanding performer on the LA scene. He appeared at numerous festivals including the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Charlie Parker Memorial in Kansas City with Supersax and the Dick Gibson Colorado Jazz Festival.

He appeared in a film short with Gene Krupa in 1948 in which he sang "Lemon Drop", and was on screen and soundtrack of "I Want To Live" in 1958, and on soundtracks of "Hotel 67", "The Hot Rock '71", and with Steve Allen in 1962-1964 on "M-Squad", and appeared on the Merv Griffin show. Composed "Blue Daniel", "Lady Jean". Recorded with Stan Kenton, Buddy Collette, Bob Cooper, Terry Gibbs, Helen Humes, Benny Carter, Howard Rumsey, Zoot Sims, Chet Baker, Conte Candoli, Dexter Gordon, Richie Kamuca, Jack Sheldon, and Sonny Stitt.

He died tragically on November 26, 1978, a suicide, killing one small son and wounding another.

Recommended recordings:
 

"Frank Rosolino Sextet"

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Capitol

"Frankly Speaking"

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Capitol

"Conversation"

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MPS

"Just Friends"

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MPS

"Thinking About You"

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Sackville

 

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