Chicago Jazz Legend Dies
Chicago lost one of the all-time greats last week with the death of jazz string player, Johnny Frigo. Frigo was 90 years old.
Frigo started his career as a violin player. He switched, eventually, to playing the bass. He played as part of the band for Jimmy Dorsey and Chico Marx. He found most of his pay and work from playing for commercials and session work.
Two weeks ago Frigo fell in his condo. He was hospitalized and continued to get worse as the weeks went by. He was actually preparing to start playing in local clubs and then make a trip overseas to play shows in Europe as well.
He made a few solo records over his many years of playing. The amazing thing about his solo recording career was that he made most of them after returning to the violin in 1988. Only “I Love Johnny Frigo, He Swings” was made in 1957, during his younger years.
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