Biography
Although born during a winter evening in New York City, Frank Flynn passed the greater part of his professional life working under the California sun. Among the many skilled, productive, and adaptable percussionists active in Hollywood studios, his greater age and experience gave him a notable edge, since his career had already been underway for at least ten years before most of his eventual colleagues entered the scene. While still a teenager he began formal studies in 1933 that combined percussion, arranging, and vibraphone in Huntington Park, CA. Two years later he became a member of the orchestra led by the sinuous Slim Martin.
He also applied his arranging skills during this time, supplying charts to bandleader Ben Pollack among others. In addition to playing drums from the rear of the bandstand in Ted Fio Rito’s ensemble, Flynn stepped forward to sing. Between 1938 and 1942 his primary activity was writing arrangements, after which military service with the Air Force kept him away from music until the middle of the decade. Upon returning to civilian life he led his own dance band and directed a trio that featured his brother Bill Flynn on bass; both groups remained active until 1947.
Thereafter his command of keyboards, mallets, and a wide array of percussion instruments generated steady freelance work in radio, television, film scoring, and pop sessions from the late 1940s onward. Among the many dates that stand out are his understated contributions behind the Carpenters, a whimsical xylophone feature on a Rosemary Clooney recording, and an exceptional date with guitarist George Van Eps that showcased Flynn’s vibraphone alongside Alvin Stoller’s bongos.
He also applied his arranging skills during this time, supplying charts to bandleader Ben Pollack among others. In addition to playing drums from the rear of the bandstand in Ted Fio Rito’s ensemble, Flynn stepped forward to sing. Between 1938 and 1942 his primary activity was writing arrangements, after which military service with the Air Force kept him away from music until the middle of the decade. Upon returning to civilian life he led his own dance band and directed a trio that featured his brother Bill Flynn on bass; both groups remained active until 1947.
Thereafter his command of keyboards, mallets, and a wide array of percussion instruments generated steady freelance work in radio, television, film scoring, and pop sessions from the late 1940s onward. Among the many dates that stand out are his understated contributions behind the Carpenters, a whimsical xylophone feature on a Rosemary Clooney recording, and an exceptional date with guitarist George Van Eps that showcased Flynn’s vibraphone alongside Alvin Stoller’s bongos.
Singles
