Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Tony Fruscella was born February 4, 1927 in Orangeburg, New York and grew up in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York. He played in an Army band early in his career. He worked as a sideman in the 1950s for Charlie Barnet, Lester Young, Gerry Mulligan, and Stan Getz.

He played with Don Joseph later in the 1950s, but by the early 1960s his problems with drug abuse and alcoholism prevented him from performing. Fruscella released one album, I’ll Be Seeing You in 1955, as a leader during his lifetime. It was recorded with Allen Eager and Danny Bank for Atlantic Records.

He married singer Morgana King, however it ended in divorce after nine years. Trumpeter Tony Fruscella died on August 14, 1969 at 42 years old.

More Posts: bandleader,history,instrumental,jazz,music,trumpet