Frank Rosolino: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Jimmy Cleveland
• Jimmy Knepper
• Conrad Herwig
• Curtis Fuller
• Julian Priester
• Bob Brookmeyer
• Bob Enevoldsen

• J.J. Johnson

• Brubeck Brothers
• Tony Lada
• Bruce Fowler
• Don Friedman
• Raul de Souza
• Wycliffe Gordon

• Claudio Slon

• Supersax

• Bud Shank
• Richie Kamuca
• Conte Candoli
• Bill Holman
• Al Porcino
• Bill Perkins
• Shelly Manne

Born:

Aug 20, 1926 in Detroit, MI

Died:

Nov 26, 1978 in Los Angeles, CA

Genres:

Music, Jazz Music, Bop Jazz Music, Classical Music, Cool Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1950's|1960's|1970's

Artistic Quality

Medium

Cultural Impact

Medium

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

The horrible way that Frank Rosolino's life ended (killing himself after shooting his two sons) has largely overshadowed his earlier musical accomplishments. One of the top trombonists of the 1950s, Rosolino's fluid and often-humorous style put him near the top of his field for awhile.

He was a guitarist when he was ten, but switched to trombone as a teenager. After serving in the military, Rosolino played with the big bands of Bob Chester, Glen Gray, Gene Krupa (1948-1949), Tony Pastor, Herbie Fields, and Georgie Auld. However, all of those experiences were just preludes to his high-profile association with Stan Kenton (1952-1954), which gave him fame. Rosolino recorded frequently in Los Angeles as a member of the Lighthouse All-Stars (1954-1960), a freelancer, and as a studio musician. His song "Blue Daniel" became a jazz standard, and Rosolino was a popular attraction as a brilliant trombonist and a comical singer. He was with Supersax for a period in the 1970s. Rosolino's shocking ending was a surprise to even his closest associates.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide