Frankie Trumbauer

A groundbreaking saxophonist (primarily on the C melody saxophone but on the alto as well) of the 1920s and '30s, Frankie Trumbauer was a major influence on jazz leaders to follow -- notably Lester Young. At his peak, Trumbauer's supreme standing on the saxophone was comparable to the kind of dominance later enjoyed by Charlie Parker. Born May 30, 1901, in Carbondale, Illinois, Trumbauer -- often called "Tram" by his contemporaries -- was playing with Chicago's Benson Orchestra when he was spotted by Bix Beiderbecke and quickly recruited to join the legendary cornetist in Jean...