Frank Signorelli

Frank Signorelli
BornMay 24 1901
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 9, 1975(1975-12-09) (aged 74)
New York City, U.S.
GenresJazz music
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
InstrumentPiano
Formerly ofOriginal Memphis Five

Frank Signorelli (May 24, 1901 – December 9, 1975)[1] was an American jazz pianist.

Biography

Signorelli was born to an Italian Sicilian family in New York City, New York.[2][3]

Signorelli was a founding member of the Original Memphis Five[4] in 1917, then joined the Original Dixieland Jazz Band briefly in 1921.[1] In 1927, he played in Adrian Rollini's New York ensemble, and subsequently worked with Eddie Lang, Bix Beiderbecke, Matty Malneck and Paul Whiteman.[1] In 1935 he was part of Dick Stabile's All-America "Swing" Band.[5] In 1936-38, he played in the revived version of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. He recorded with Phil Napoleon in 1946 and with Miff Mole in 1958.[1]

Compositions

As a songwriter, Signorelli composed "'I'll Never Be The Same"[6] (initially called "Little Buttercup" by Joe Venuti's Blue Four), "Gypsy", recorded by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra, "Caprice Futuristic", "Evening", "Anything", "Bass Ale Blues", "Great White Way Blues", "Park Avenue Fantasy", "Sioux City Sue" (1924), "Shufflin' Mose", "Stairway to the Stars",[6] and "A Blues Serenade", recorded by Signorelli in 1926, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra in 1935 and Duke Ellington's version in 1938.

Death

Signorelli died in New York City on December 9, 1975.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 2263. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ a b Yanow, Scott (2001). Classic Jazz: Third Ear - the Essential Listening Companion. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 208. ISBN 9781617744860. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  3. ^ Scott Yanow, Frank Signorelli at AllMusic
  4. ^ Laffler, William D. (July 17, 1957). "Record Review". Redlands Daily Facts. California, Redlands. Redlands Daily Facts. p. 2. Retrieved November 29, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ "(Lakewood ad)". The Plain Speaker. The Plain Speaker. April 15, 1936. p. 18. Retrieved October 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ a b Little, Paul (June 27, 1957). "Needle in the Groove". Arlington Heights Herald. Illinois, Arlington Heights. Arlington Heights Herald. p. 36. Retrieved November 29, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon