Arthur Rollini
Arthur Francis Rollini(February 13, 1912 – December 30, 1993) was an Americanjazzmusician who played thetenor saxophone,flute andclarinet.His nickname was "Schneeze".
Early life
[edit]Born in New York City, Rollini came from an Italian descent musical family and grew up inLarchmont, New York.[1]Multi-instrumentalistAdrian Rolliniwas his older brother.
Career
[edit]In 1929, Rollini played in England forFred Elizaldeand worked for theCalifornia Ramblersandbig bandpioneerPaul Whiteman.
From 1934 to 1939, he was a member of theBenny Goodman Orchestra.The highlight of that period wasa breakout performancefor big band jazz atCarnegie Hallin 1938. He worked withRichard Himberand from 1941–1942 withWill Bradley.From 1943 to 1958, he worked as astudio musicianfor theAmerican Broadcasting Company.[1]
Rollini's work can be found on recordings with the bands ofWingy Manone,Adrian Rollini(1933–34),Benny Goodman,Joe Venuti(1935),Lionel Hampton(1937),Harry James(1938),Louis Armstrong(1945) andBrad Gowans(1946). In 1939, he starred in an Allstar band of Goodman,Bunny BeriganandJack Teagardenwith ( "Blue Lu" ).[1]
In 1987, Rollini published his autobiographyThirty Years with the Big Bands.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Rollini met Ena Kelsall, daughter of actor and entertainerGreg Kelsey,in 1932. They married on November 25, 1935. They had a daughter Adrienne in 1938 and a son Arthur Jr. in 1941.[1][2]
References
[edit]Sources
[edit]- Bohländer, Carlo; Holler, Karl Heinz; Pfarr, Christian (2000).Reclams Jazzführer.Reclam.ISBN978-3-15-010464-4.
- Feather, Leonard;Gitler, Ira(November 18, 1999).The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz.Oxford University Press, USA.ISBN978-0-19-972907-4.
- Rollini, Arthur (November 1, 1995).Thirty Years with the Big Bands.A&C Black.ISBN978-1-871478-40-2.
