Trumbauer, Frankie (also Trombar,Frank)

Trumbauer, Frankie (also Trombar, also Trombar Frank), influential early jazz Alto and C-melody saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, singer; b. Carbon-dale, III, May 30, 1901; d. Kansas City, Mo., June 11, 1956. His mother was a concert pianist, his son, Bill, became a professional trumpet player and music teacher. Raised in St. Louis, during early teens played piano, trombone, flute, and violin before concentrating on “C” melody sax (later in his career Trumbauer also recorded on cornet, alto sax, and bassoon; on some of his most famous sides, possibly including “Singin’ the Blues,’ he played alto and not C-Melody, says researcher Carl Woideck.) At 17 formed own band in St. Louis then, after service in U.S. Navy, returned to St. Louis to join Max Goldman’s Orch., Subsequently with Ted Jansen’s Band and Earl Fuller, Joined Gene Ro-demich’s Band and with them made recording debut, worked with Joe Kayser’s Orch. (1921), then joined Benson Orch. in Chicago before playing with Ray Miller’s Orch. during 1923-24. Subsequently became a musical director for the Jean Goldkette band and led a band at the Arcadia Ballroom which featured Bix Beiderbecke. Together with Bix played for Goldkette until 1927, during this time these two musicians made many small band recordings together. They both worked in Adrian Rollini’s short-lived big band (September-October 1927) and with Paul Whiteman’s Orch.; Trumbauer remained with Whiteman until the spring of 1932. Organized own band and did extensive touring before rejoining Whiteman in late 1933. Co-led the Three T’s in late 1936 (with Jack and Charlie Teagarden), then left Whiteman and moved to West Coast, co-led band with Manny Klein, then worked with George Stoll (early 1938) before organizing own big band (March 1938), using the name ’Trombar.” Left full-time music in March 1939 to become an inspector for the Civil Aeronautics Authority in Kansas City. Led own band again in 1940. Worked as a test pilot throughout World War II, in late 1945. returned to music and worked with Russ Case’s Studio group and with Raymond Paige’s NBC Orch. in N.Y. Moved to Santa Monica in 1947, retired from full-time music. Again worked for Civil Aeronautical Authority in Kansas City, but continued to play occasionally and guested at Dixieland Jubilee Bix tribute in October 1952. Died of a heart attack in 1956.

Trumbauer was an important early saxophonist who influenced Lester Young, Benny Carter, Buddy Tate, Budd Johnson, and many others.

Discography

Mildred baileyL’Art Vocal, Vol. 9:1931-39 (1997); Mildred Bailey: 1929-32 (1999). BIX BEIDERBECKE: And the Chicago Cornets (1924); Indispensable (1924); Bix Beiderbecke, Vol. 1: Singin the Blues (1927); Bix Beiderbecke, Vol. 2: At the Jazz Band Ball (1927); Bix Beiderbecke: 1924-30 (1986); At the Jazz Band Ball (1991); Felix the Cat (1993); Bix Beiderbecke: Vol. 4 (1927-28) (1994); Bix Beiderbecke 1928-29, Vol. 7 (1994); Wa Da Da (1994); Bix Beiderbecke: 1927, Vol 3 (1995); Bix Beiderbecke: 1928, Vol. 5 (1995); Bix Beiderbecke: 1929-30, Vol 8 (1996); His Best Recordings (1996); Great Original Performances: 1924-30 (1997). HOAGY CARMICHAEL: Classic Hoagy Carmichael (1927). BING CROSBY: Classic Crosby: 1931 to 1938 (1994); Bing Crosby: 1928-45 (1997). DUKE ELLINGTON: Complete Edition, Vol. 1 (1924-26) (1996). COLE PORTER: Stars of the 30’s (1991); From This Moment On: The Songs of Cole Porter (1992). JACK TE AGARDEN Indispensable (1928); I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues (1929); Jack Teagarden & His Orchestra (1934-39) (1939); Big T (1994). JOE VENUTI: Violin Jazz 1927-34 (1934). JOE VENUTI & EDDIE LANG Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang (1926-33) (1933); Stringing the Blues (2000). PAUL WHITE-MAN: King of Jazz (1920); Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra (1996); Say It with Music (2000).

—John Chilton, who’s Who of Jazz/Lewis Porter