Tony Fruscella

Tony Fruscella
Also known as Fru
Born (1927-02-04)February 4, 1927
Orangeburg, New York
Died August 14, 1969(1969-08-14) (aged 42)
New York City, New York
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Trumpeter
Instruments Trumpet
Years active 1948–1960

Tony Fruscella[1] (February 4, 1927, in Orangeburg, New York – August 14, 1969, in New York City) was an American jazz trumpeter. He died[2] of liver cirrhosis in 1969.

Biography

Tony, and his sister Maria, grew up in Greenwich Village, part of Manhattan, New York. Fruscella played in an Army band early in his career. He served as a sideman for numerous jazz musicians in the 1950s, including Charlie Barnet,[3] Lester Young,[4] Gerry Mulligan[5] (1954) and Stan Getz[6] (1955). He played with Don Joseph[7] 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.[8] The marriage ended in divorce after nine years.[8] They had a daughter Graysan (1950–2008) and have a grandson, Morgan[9]

Tony Fruscella released only one record as a leader during his lifetime, 1955's I'll Be Seeing You (with Allen Eager[10] and Danny Bank[11]) on Atlantic Records. 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

Notes

References

  1. Bogdanov, Woodstra, Thomas All Music Guide to Jazz, The Definitive Guide to Jazz Music 2002, Page 443 – ISBN 0-87930-717-X
  2. Tony Fruscella. NYTimes Aug 14, 1969
  3. Charlie Barnet
  4. Lester Young
  5. Gerry Mulligan
  6. Stan Getz
  7. Don Joseph at Jazz Discography
  8. 1 2 Liner notes by Doug Ramsey – Morgana King album 'Stretchin' Out' (1977).
  9. Liner Notes by Morgana King album titled 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You' (1991).
  10. Allen Eager. eJazzNews
  11. Danny Bank. JazzWax

External links

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