Frank L. Ryerson
Encyclopedia
Frank L. Ryerson was an American trumpeter, composer, arranger and educator.
Ryerson played trumpet with such big bands as Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra
, Jimmy Dorsey
, Jack Teagarden
, Vaughn Monroe
and Mal Hallett
. He appeared on several recordings with big bands beginning in 1927 into the 1940s.
He co-wrote the Dorsey hit "Blue Champagne" written in 1941 and covered by The Manhattan Transfer
in 1975. He also wrote the stirring "Lament in D Minor". By 1949 he was the orchestral arranger for Vaughn Monroe.
For the remainder of his career he was an educator. In the 1950s he ran the Paramus, New Jersey
school music program, becoming in 1957 the music director at the new Paramus High School
where he created a student concert band, marching band and big-band style dance band, arranging many of the charts himself and introducing innovative techniques to the marching band not common at the time. The organizations were known for their high quality and enthusiasm from the beginning. He wrote the alma mater lyrics (sung to the tune "Aura Lee
" or for the Elvis Presley
fans out there, "Love Me Tender"). He also during this period led and played trumpet in a small professional dance/jazz combo and provided private trumpet lessons at his home in the adjacent town of Fairlawn, NJ to students from the surrounding area.
In 1976 Ryerson retired and moved to Clearwater, Florida where he died on May 15, 1995 at the age of 89. He was an inspiration to all PHS band students and alumni who had the honor of having him as a band director and teacher and will be missed.
Ryerson played trumpet with such big bands as Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra
Casa Loma Orchestra
The Casa Loma Orchestra was a popular American dance band active from 1927 to 1963. From 1929 until the rapid multiplication in the number of swing bands from 1935 on, the Casa Loma Orchestra was one of the top North American dance bands...
, Jimmy Dorsey
Jimmy Dorsey
James "Jimmy" Dorsey was a prominent American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, trumpeter, composer, and big band leader. He was known as "JD"...
, Jack Teagarden
Jack Teagarden
Weldon Leo "Jack" Teagarden , known as "Big T" and "The Swingin' Gate", was an influential jazz trombonist, bandleader, composer, and vocalist, regarded as the "Father of Jazz Trombone".-Early life:...
, Vaughn Monroe
Vaughn Monroe
Vaughn Wilton Monroe was an American baritone singer, trumpeter and big band leader and actor, most popular in the 1940s and 1950s. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for recording and radio.-Biography:...
and Mal Hallett
Mal Hallett
Mal Hallett was an American jazz violinist and bandleader.Hallett was a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music. He played in France during World War I as a member of Al Moore's orchestra, and led his own band, primarily in New England, for much of the 1930s...
. He appeared on several recordings with big bands beginning in 1927 into the 1940s.
He co-wrote the Dorsey hit "Blue Champagne" written in 1941 and covered by The Manhattan Transfer
The Manhattan Transfer
The Manhattan Transfer is an American vocal music group. There have been two manifestations of the group, with Tim Hauser being the only person to be part of both...
in 1975. He also wrote the stirring "Lament in D Minor". By 1949 he was the orchestral arranger for Vaughn Monroe.
For the remainder of his career he was an educator. In the 1950s he ran the Paramus, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
school music program, becoming in 1957 the music director at the new Paramus High School
Paramus High School
Paramus High School is an American four-year comprehensive public high school, located in Paramus, New Jersey, operating as part of the Paramus Public Schools...
where he created a student concert band, marching band and big-band style dance band, arranging many of the charts himself and introducing innovative techniques to the marching band not common at the time. The organizations were known for their high quality and enthusiasm from the beginning. He wrote the alma mater lyrics (sung to the tune "Aura Lee
Aura Lee
"Aura Lea" is an American Civil War song about a maiden. It was written by W. W. Fosdick and George R. Poulton .-Lyrics:The lyrics as written by Fosdick:...
" or for the Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
fans out there, "Love Me Tender"). He also during this period led and played trumpet in a small professional dance/jazz combo and provided private trumpet lessons at his home in the adjacent town of Fairlawn, NJ to students from the surrounding area.
In 1976 Ryerson retired and moved to Clearwater, Florida where he died on May 15, 1995 at the age of 89. He was an inspiration to all PHS band students and alumni who had the honor of having him as a band director and teacher and will be missed.