|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZROLLINI, Adrian(b 28 June '04, NYC; d 15 May '56, Homestead FL) Bass sax; also vibes, goofus, hot fountain pen, etc. An influential and underrated jazzman, one of the few masters of the cumbersome bass sax, admired by Coleman Hawkins, Budd Johnson, Harry Carney; he played vibes with four mallets remarkably like Gary Burton decades later, also fooling with novelty instruments. He was a child prodigy on piano; his brother Arthur played reeds (b 13 Feb. '12, NYC; with Benny Goodman classic '34--9 band etc); both played in the California Ramblers, managed by sometime vocalist/banjoist Ed Kirkeby (later Fats Waller's manager). The Ramblers were the most prolifically recorded dance band of the era '21--37 incl. under many pseudonyms; Glenn Miller, both Dorsey brothers, vocalists Vernon Dahlart, Smith Ballew and countless others appeared on the records; the last couple of sessions used Tommy Dorsey or Charlie Barnet bands. It was Kirkeby who suggested bass sax to Rollini. He played in London '27--9; freelance on countless record dates '20s--early '30s, opened Adrian's Tap Room '35 at the Hotel President NYC (Eddie Condon was a regular), led own small groups for long hotel gigs; opened own hotel in Florida early '50s. Recorded with Bix Beiderbecke, Red Nichols, Frankie Trumbauer, Joe Venuti, Louisiana Rhythm Kings, Miff Mole etc. Own records '30--40 began and ended with trio sessions; Adrian Rollini and his Orchestra '33 incl. Arthur, Goodman, Bunny Berigan; in '34 Barnet, Jack Teagarden, Bud Freeman; Adrian and his Tap Room Gang '35 incl. Wingy Manone; quintet '38 incl. Bobby Hackett and Buddy Rich. |