Franklin Taft Melrose

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Franklyn Taft Melrose

Notes:

From The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz: Melrose, Frank(lyn Taft) [Broadway Rastus, Kansas City Frank] (b. Sumner, IL, 26 Nov 1907; d nr Hammond, IN, 1 Sept 1941). Pianist and bandleader. His first instrument was violin, which he continued to play throughout his career, though never for a recording. Active mainly in and around Chicago, he recorded initially with Junie Cobb and the cornetist Jimmy Cobb (1928) and then as a leader (1929-1930), sometimes using his pseudonyms Kansas City Frank and Broadway Rastus. In 1929 he made recordings with Johnny and Baby Dodds in the Beale Street Washboard Band and with the Cobbs in the Windy Rhythm Kings and the Kansas City Tin Roof Stompers (Aunt Jemima Stomp/St. Louis Bound, Bruns, 7066). He also worked in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, and St. Louis, occasionally as a violinist, but more often playing piano in a vigorous barrelhouse style; Jelly Roll Stomp/Pass the Jug (1929, Bruns, 7062) provides a good example of his work in this vein. After recording in 1930 with the Cellar Boys (a group that included Wingy Manone, Frank Teschemacher, and Bud Freeman) he performed with the clarinetist Bud Jacobson in 1933 at the World's Fair in Chicago. Thereafter he remained in that city. working regularly with Pete Daily in various clubs (through the 1930s) and with George Barnes (c1937). Melrose was evidently murdered in 1941, but the circumstances of his death are unknown. His brothers were the music publishers and promoters Walter and Lester Melrose. For more information, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Melrose.

Franklin married Frances Caroline Sacerich in 1934 in Crown Point, Lake County, Indiana, USA. Frances was born on 8 Jun 1915 in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio, USA; died on 24 Dec 1996. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]