Johnny Frigo - R.I.P.

Lois Gilbert · July-6th-2007, 02:51 AM

Jazz musician JOHNNY FRIGO has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 90.
The violinist and bassist died at a Chicago, Illinois hospital on Wednesday (04Jul07).
Frigo spent his early career playing bass with the U.S. Coast Guard band at New York/New Jersey's Ellis Island during World War II, and toured with clarinettist Jimmy Dorsey. He wrote jazz standard Detour Ahead, which was later recorded by Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn, and was in his late 60s, when he took up the violin.
His son says, "Nobody played violin like him. Chicago's a poorer place without him." He is survived by his wife Brittney Brown, son Rick and younger sister Aurora Bray.

Squaredancecalling Steve · July-6th-2007, 02:56 AM

I've enjoyed his fiddling -- R.I.P.

Chris D · July-6th-2007, 10:42 AM

One of the Great Men of Chicago. Damn, we'll miss him.

Cymbal groove · July-6th-2007, 10:44 AM

I was on a record date Johnny was also on a few years back. He was a very nice man with a lot of stories. One of the tunes we recorded was Detour Ahead. It was an honor to record that with him. RIP Johnny!

Scott Yanow · July-6th-2007, 02:03 PM

Darn, I'm sorry to hear that. I just mentioned his name in an article yesterday.

Violin was actually his first instrument. He spent his career up until 1980 or so mostly as a bassist though he did lead one early album as a violinist. But when he switched to playing violin fulltime, he was one of the very best. In addition to his music, he was a poet and could tell really funny stories.

jonathanjazz · July-8th-2007, 12:00 PM

He was also a wonderfully giving teacher. Man he could swing. Almost the last of his generation on violin...

To enlarge, click here.

Ron Thorne · July-12th-2007, 02:13 AM

Johnny Frigo had some nice on-camera moments on the PBS documentary of Les Paul tonight.

Sandi22 · July-12th-2007, 02:24 AM

I only caught the beginning of the program with Les Paul, Ron, perhaps they'll rerun it next week or on Sunday, they do that quite a bit.

It was amazing to see Johnny Frigo work his way with a tuba, after only hearing it in marching bands. For us to watch and hear him play it, was so surprising, a jazz tune with a tuba. Who would have thought it?

He had a winning way about him, and he never ceased to surprise us with his talent, especially us kids, never having known a tuba in a masters hands could be so great. Besides that, he had a quiet humourous charm about him, and so, he too is missed.

Ron Thorne · July-13th-2007, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandi22

It was amazing to see Johnny Frigo work his way with a tuba, after only hearing it in marching bands.

Tuba?

I've only seen and heard Johnny Frigo play violin/fiddle. I know that he also played acoustic bass at one point.

What am I missing here?

Sandi22 · July-13th-2007, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

Tuba?

I've only seen and heard Johnny Frigo play violin/fiddle. I know that he also played acoustic bass at one point.

What am I missing here?

A lot of fun.

I remember him playing one time with a fellow who was there playing banjo, and the laughter and joking going on was so much fun. Jazz on a banjo is an oddity to say the least and a Tuba to boot? We were in the twilight zone.

He was very good on it, the Tuba. It's been too long ago for me to remember all of the particulars, but he was a superbly talented and nice gentleman, one who had a friendly word for anyone and everyone he passed by. If you looked like you'd like to say hello and exchange a few words, he was there, with all the interest in you that's usually reserved for closer aquaintances. I noticed this trait in a lot of those who are known as our best. Not always, but often enough to remember that being like this was a positive. No prima dona attitude with many who were better than you can imagine.