Johnny Frigo

Infobox musical artist
Name = Johnny Frigo


Img_capt = Cover art for "Johnny Frigo's DNA Exposed!" (Arbors Records)
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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Johnny Frigo
Alias =
Born = December 27, 1916
Died = death date and age|2007|7|4|1916|12|27
Origin = Chicago, Illinois
Instrument = violin, double bass
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Genre = Jazz
Occupation =
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Label = Arbors Records
Associated_acts = Jimmy Dorsey
Bucky Pizzarelli
Jessica Molaskey
Harold Fethe
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Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Johnny Frigo (December 27, 1916 – July 4, 2007) was an American jazz violinist and bassist.

Early Life and career

Frigo was born in Chicago, Illinois, and studied violin for only three years beginning at age 7. In high school he started to play double bass in dance orchestras, and would continue his career as a bassist for several decades. In 1942 he played with Chico Marx's orchestra and did a comedy routine on violin with Marx on piano. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/05/AR2007070501899_2.html?nav=rss_metro/obituaries "Washington Post" "Johnny Frigo, 90; Jazz Violinist and Bassist" July 6, 2007] ] He entered the United States Coast Guard during World War II only to find himself playing in a band on Ellis Island with Al Haig and Kai Winding.

Postwar career

After a brief turn at active service near the end of the war he moved to New Jersey. He toured with Jimmy Dorsey's band from 1945 to 1947, later forming the Soft Winds trio with Dorsey's guitarist Herb Ellis and pianist Lou Carter. During this time he wrote the music and words of the standard "Detour Ahead", which has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bill Evans, among others.

In 1951 Frigo returned to Chicago, primarily working as a studio bassist and arranger. He also led the band at Mr. Kelly's, a popular Rush Street nightspot. Between 1951 and 1960 he played fiddle hoedowns and novelties with the Sage Riders, the house band for WLS's long-running National Barn Dance. He continued playing with the Sage Riders for another four years after WGN revived the show in 1961.

In the mid-1980s Frigo largely abandoned playing bass to refocus on the violin. After sitting in with Monty Alexander, Ray Brown, and Herb Ellis at Chicago's Jazz Showcase, Alexander invited him to join the trio for several upcoming live dates that produced "Triple Treat II" and "Triple Treat III" (Concord 1987). Johnny Carson once asked Frigo why it took so long to start his career as a violinist. Frigo replied "Because there won't be enough time left for me to become a has-been."

He performed as a jazz violinist at festivals worldwide, including the Umbria Jazz Festival and North Sea Jazz Festival. Frigo also was a published poet and artist. He composed and performed a version of the 1969 Chicago Cubs fight song "Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel".

Family

His son, Derek John Frigo, was the lead guitarist for the rock band "Enuff Z'nuff". Derek Frigo died of a drug overdose on May 28 2004. [http://www.sleazeroxx.com/rip/derekfrigo.shtml Sleaze Roxx web site] ]

Death

Johnny Frigo died at age 90 of complications from a fall. He had been battling cancer according to some reports of his death.

elect discography

Johnny Frigo albums

As guest or sideman

References

External links

* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11803738 NPR Obit]
* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20070706/ai_n19359352 Findarticles obituary]
* [http://www.jazzhouse.org/gone/lastpost2.php3?edit=1183833871 Obituary]

ources

* [http://www.johnnyfrigo.com Johnny Frigo website]
* "Nice 'n' Easy Does It". "Strings Magazine", March 1998 (interview with Matt Glaser).