Tony Fruscella
Encyclopedia
Tony Fruscella was an American jazz
trumpeter. He died of liver cirrhosis in 1969.
band early in his career. He served as a sideman for numerous jazz musicians in the 1950s, including Charlie Barnet
, Lester Young
, Gerry Mulligan
(1954) and Stan Getz
(1955). He played with Don Joseph later in the 1950s, but by the early 1960s his problems with drug abuse
and alcoholism
sidelined him from active performance.
He was married to singer Morgana King
. The marriage ended in divorce after nine years. They had a daughter Graysan (1950–2008) and have a grandson, Morgan
Fruscella released only one record as a leader during his lifetime, 1955's I'll Be Seeing You (with Allen Eager
and Danny Bank
) on Atlantic Records
. Several reissues of live material and studio outtakes followed his death.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trumpeter. He died of liver cirrhosis in 1969.
Biography
Fruscella played in an ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
band early in his career. He served as a sideman for numerous jazz musicians in the 1950s, including Charlie Barnet
Charlie Barnet
Charles Daly Barnet was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader.His major recordings were "Skyliner", "Cherokee", "The Wrong Idea", "Scotch and Soda", "In a Mizz", and "Southland Shuffle".-Early life:...
, Lester Young
Lester Young
Lester Willis Young , nicknamed "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He also played trumpet, violin, and drums....
, Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan
Gerald Joseph "Gerry" Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though Mulligan is primarily known as one of the leading baritone saxophonists in jazz history – playing the instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz – he was also...
(1954) and Stan Getz
Stan Getz
Stanley Getz was an American jazz saxophone player. Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of his idol, Lester Young. Coming to prominence in the late 1940s with Woody Herman's big band, Getz is described by critic Scott...
(1955). He played with Don Joseph later in the 1950s, but by the early 1960s his problems with drug abuse
Drug abuse
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent. The term "drug abuse" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts...
and alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
sidelined him from active performance.
He was married to singer Morgana King
Morgana King
Morgana King is an American singer and actress. She is a noted jazz singer, who is regarded as a "musician's singer." The musical œuvre of her stylized vocal artistry spans a period of more than four decades and has an "appeal that bridges generations, tastes and life styles"."She is, like all...
. The marriage ended in divorce after nine years. They had a daughter Graysan (1950–2008) and have a grandson, Morgan
Fruscella released only one record as a leader during his lifetime, 1955's I'll Be Seeing You (with Allen Eager
Allen Eager
Allen Eager was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Eager first played jazz as a teenager during World War II in the bands of Bobby Sherwood, Sonny Dunham, Shorty Sherock, Hal McIntyre, Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey, and Johnny Bothwell...
and Danny Bank
Danny Bank
Daniel Bernard "Danny" Bank was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and flautist. He is credited on some releases as Danny Banks....
) on Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. Several reissues of live material and studio outtakes followed his death.
Discography
| Albums | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Label / catalog # | Notes |
| 2008 | Tony Fruscella | Rhino/Wea UK | Original release date 1955 |
| 2005 | Tony's Blues | Cool & Blue | |
| 2004 | Pernod with Stan Getz | Jazz Factory Spain | |
| 2004 | Night at the Open Door | Jazz Factory Spain | Live |
| 2001 | Brooklyn Jam 1952 | M&I Japan | |
| Box sets and Compilations | |||
| Year | Title | Label / catalog # | Notes |
| 1999 | Tony Fruscella: The Complete Works | Jazz Factory Spain | Album listing: Studio Recordings (2 CDs); Live Recordings (2 CDs) |
| Also appears on | |||
| Year | Title | Label / catalog # | Notes |
| 2007 | Atlantic Top 60: Jazz, Jive and Strut | Atlantic Recording Corp./Rhino | Track listing: "I'll Be Seeing You" |
| 1983 | Simple Isn't Easy | Sunnyside | Bonus Track: Featuring Tony Fruscella |