Frank Trumbauer
Frankie Trumbauer, born Orie Frank Trumbauer on May 30, 1901, in Carbondale, Illinois, was a prominent American jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and composer of the 1920s and 1930s. Known for his mastery of the C melody saxophone, Trumbauer also played the alto saxophone, bassoon, and clarinet. He was a major figure in jazz, particularly known for his sophisticated sax melodies and as a leading small group jazz bandleader during his era.
Trumbauer's landmark recording "Singin' the Blues" with Bix Beiderbecke and Eddie Lang in 1927 was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1977. His collaborations with Beiderbecke were significant, producing some of the finest jazz records of the late 1920s. Trumbauer's influence extended to notable musicians like Lester Young, and his style was a precursor to the Cool Jazz movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
He began his career with bands like Edgar Benson and Ray Miller, and later became the musical director of Jean Goldkette's Orchestra. In 1927, he joined Paul Whiteman's Orchestra, where he played for several years. Trumbauer also led his own band and worked with musicians such as Charlie and Jack Teagarden. During World War II, he left the music industry to work as a test pilot and later for the Civil Aeronautical Authority. Although he played occasionally after the war, he primarily made his living outside of music until his death on June 11, 1956, in Kansas City, Missouri.
App
