Frankie Trumbauer

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Frankie Trumbauer (1901-56) was one of the top saxophonists of the 1920s, mastering the C-melody sax which largely became otherwise extinct by the mid-1930s.

Trumbauer is best remembered for his collaborations with cornetist Bix Beiderbecke, leading some of the finest Bix recording sessions, but he was also a major soloist who was technically skilled and influenced Lester Young, worked with Paul Whiteman for nearly a decade, and led his own big band before largely retiring in 1940; he became a pilot and his final recording was in 1946.

This rare radio interview from 1952 has a few examples of his recordings (check him out on “Trumbology”) but is most valuable for the opportunity to hear Trumbauer’s speaking voice and for his fascinating storytelling.

-Scott Yanow

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