Adrian Rollini was one of the top musicians of the 1920s and 1930s. He specialized on bass saxophone, but was also a highly competant pianist and vibraphonist who would play celeste from time to time. Adrian also introduced the marimba to the jazz band, and was also an inveterate inventor, with such instruments as the hot fountain pen (a miniature clarinet) and the goofus, an instrument shaped like a curved soprano saxophone outfitted with harmonica reeds. Originally destined for a career as a classical pianist, Adrian gave a Chopin recital at the Waldorf when he was only four, and was declared a child prodigy. As a teenager he led a band, writing arrangements and doubling on piano and xylophone. He earned extra money by cutting piano rolls for QRS and DeLuxe- very few examples are known to survive. in 1922 he joined the California Ramblers, and it was while he was in that group that he took up the bass saxophone, and transformed it into a highly capable instrument, often taking solo breaks. He had a distinctive style of playing that created a vogue sound of the 1920s. He left the group for a while to travel across the pond to London, where he played with Fred Elizalde along with other fine musicians such as Jack Russin, Bobby Davis, and the great English vocalist Al Bowlly. He came back to America in 1928, and found plenty of work. He continued to play bass saxophone but had begun to focus more on the vibes and chimes, later playing them exclusively- sadly, when he gave up the bass saxophone, his role in jazz went with it. He recorded countless records with artists like Bix Beiderbecke, Ukulele Ike, Ella Mae Morse, Annette Hanshaw, and of course the California Ramblers, to name a few. He left behind a tremendous number of recordings with a fair amount available today on CD. Adrian Rollini's music always seemed to have a smile on it's face- listen up!
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The Moonlighters have a new cd! It's called Enchanted and it's full of 1920's pop tunes and originals that you would love! Check it out and stay as sweet as you are!
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