Tony Fruscella: A Hidden Gem in New York City

"In 1968, in New York City late one night, I heard the sound of a trumpet coming from an alley. I liked what I heard, so I went into the alley and found a man playing his trumpet. No one else was around. He introduced himself as Tony Fruscella."In the chaotic New York of the 1950s, dominated by a vibrant jazz scene, the figure of a singular trumpeter emerged almost by chance — too gifted to be ignored, too quirky to be fully appreciated. Like a meteor, he suddenly became part of the city’s jazz world, coming close to a successful career that ultimately slipped through his fingers. His self-destructive life as a cursed artist led him to burn out in an instant, much like the cigarette that he always held between his fingers...The only book entirely dedicated to Tony Fruscella, bringing together in one volume all the available information about this elusive trumpeter. The book also includes the scores of every tune from his only album as a leader, transcribed by the author for both Bb and C instruments. Read more