Frank Strazzeri

For decades, pianist Frank Strazzeri maintained a long-term base in the Los Angeles region and stayed in steady demand for straight-ahead recording work. He first took up tenor and clarinet at age twelve before shifting his focus to piano. After completing studies at the Eastman School, he assumed the role of house pianist at a Rochester jazz club in 1952, which allowed him to back prominent artists including Roy Eldridge and Billie Holiday. He relocated to New Orleans in 1954 and performed Dixieland alongside Sharkey Bonano and Al Hirt, yet the move was only temporary because his core approach stayed grounded in bop. Strazzeri played with Charlie Ventura from 1957 to 1958 and with Woody Herman in 1959 before making Los Angeles his permanent home in 1960. There he worked as a studio musician, contributed to countless sessions, and collaborated with many leading lights of West Coast jazz. Touring opportunities arose with Joe Williams and Maynard Ferguson, and he performed with Les Brown’s big band from 1971 to 1974. Further associations included Terry Gibbs, Herb Ellis, the Lighthouse All-Stars, Art Pepper, Bud Shank, Cal Tjader, Louie Bellson, and Chet Baker, as well as his own trios. Leading his own dates, Strazzeri recorded for Revelation, Glendale, Sea Breeze, Catalyst, Discovery, and Fresh Sound.