Speedway

Tony Fruscella

Tony Fruscella
Born(1927-02-04)February 4, 1927
Orangeburg, New York, U.S.
DiedAugust 14, 1969(1969-08-14) (aged 42)
New York City
GenresJazz
OccupationMusician
InstrumentTrumpet
Years active1948–1960

Tony Fruscella (February 4, 1927 – August 14, 1969) was an American jazz trumpeter.[1]

Biography

Tony Fruscella and his sister Maria, grew up in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York. He played in an Army band early in his career. He worked as a sideman in the 1950s for Charlie Barnet,[2] Lester Young, Gerry Mulligan (1954), and Stan Getz(1955). He played with Don Joseph[3] later in the 1950s, but by the early 1960s his problems with drug abuse and alcoholism prevented him from performing. Fruscella released one album, I'll Be Seeing You (1955), as a leader during his lifetime. It was recorded with Allen Eager and Danny Bank[4]) for Atlantic Records.

He was married to singer Morgana King.[5] The marriage ended in divorce after nine years.[5][6]

Discography

  • Tony Fruscella (Atlantic, 1955)
  • Fru'n Brew with Brew Moore (Spotlite, 1981)
  • Debut (Spotlite, 1981)
  • The 1954 Unissued Atlantic Session (Fresh Sound, 2011)

Notes

References

  1. ^ Bogdanov, Woodstra, Thomas All Music Guide to Jazz, The Definitive Guide to Jazz Music 2002, Page 443ISBN 0-87930-717-X
  2. ^ Charlie Barnet Archived 2009-03-07 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Don Joseph at Jazz Discography
  4. ^ Danny Bank. JazzWax
  5. ^ a b Liner notes by Doug Ramsey for Morgana King album Stretchin' Out (1977)
  6. ^ Liner Notes on Morgana King album I Just Can't Stop Loving You (1991)