Frankie Carle
Encyclopedia
Frankie Carle – (March 7, 2001), born Francis Nunzio Carlone, was a American
pianist
and bandleader
. As a very popular bandleader in the 1940s and 1950s, Carle was nicknamed "The Wizard of the Keyboard
"."Sunrise Serenade," however, was Carle's best-known composition, rising to No. 1 in the nation in 1938 and selling more than one million copies.
on March 25, 1903. Born the son of a factory worker who could not afford a piano, he practiced on a dummy keyboard devised by his uncle, pianist Nicholas Colangelo, until he found a broken-down instrument in a dance hall. In 1916, a teenage Carle began working with his uncle's band as well as a number of local bands in the Rhode Island
area. To gain further popularity in an America which still held prejudices against many Italian Americans, Carle did what many singers, like Dean Martin
and Jerry Vale
did during this time period; he changed his name from Carlone to Carle.
and His Musical Knights in 1939. He later becoming co-leader of the band. The popularity he attained while with Heidt’s band allowed him to leave the band in 1944 and form his own band, named, The Frankie Carle Orchestra. His band disbanded after 1955 and he performed mainly as a soloist
thereafter. From the 1950s until the 1980s, Carle performed as a single artist and maintained a close following of loyal fans.
and Benny Goodman
. Carle died of natural causes in Mesa, Arizona
in 2001, a few weeks shy of his 98th birthday. Catholic, Carle had a mass of Christian burial at the Holy Cross Church in Mesa, Arizona. He is survived by his daughter, Marjorie Hughes, granddaughter, Susan Douce, and great-granddaughter, Veronica.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
. As a very popular bandleader in the 1940s and 1950s, Carle was nicknamed "The Wizard of the Keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
"."Sunrise Serenade," however, was Carle's best-known composition, rising to No. 1 in the nation in 1938 and selling more than one million copies.
Early life
Carle was born in Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
on March 25, 1903. Born the son of a factory worker who could not afford a piano, he practiced on a dummy keyboard devised by his uncle, pianist Nicholas Colangelo, until he found a broken-down instrument in a dance hall. In 1916, a teenage Carle began working with his uncle's band as well as a number of local bands in the Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
area. To gain further popularity in an America which still held prejudices against many Italian Americans, Carle did what many singers, like Dean Martin
Dean Martin
Dean Martin was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"...
and Jerry Vale
Jerry Vale
Jerry Vale is an American singer.-Career:In high school, in order to make some money, he took a job shining shoes in a barbershop in New York City. He sang while he shined shoes, and his boss liked the sound so well that he paid for music lessons for the boy...
did during this time period; he changed his name from Carlone to Carle.
Career
Carle started out working with a number of mainstream dance bands. He received attention when he joined the band: Horace HeidtHorace Heidt
Horace Heidt was an American pianist, big band leader, and radio and television personality. His band, Horace Heidt and His Musical Knights, toured vaudeville and performed on radio and television through the 1930s and 1940s.-Biography:Born in Alameda, California, Heidt attended Culver...
and His Musical Knights in 1939. He later becoming co-leader of the band. The popularity he attained while with Heidt’s band allowed him to leave the band in 1944 and form his own band, named, The Frankie Carle Orchestra. His band disbanded after 1955 and he performed mainly as a soloist
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
thereafter. From the 1950s until the 1980s, Carle performed as a single artist and maintained a close following of loyal fans.
Albums
- Frankie Carle Encores, Columbia (C-70, 1943)
- Carle Comes Calling, Columbia (CL 6002, 1947, 10")
- Roses In Rhythm, Columbia (CL 6032, 10")(C 174, 1948)
- Frankie Carle and his Girl Friends, Columbia CL 6018, 1949, 10")
- Frankie Carle Dance Parade, Columbia (CL 6047, 1949, 10")
- At The Piano, Columbia CL 6075, 1949, 10")
- Carle Meets The Masters, Columbia CL 6085, 1950, 10")
- Frankie Carle Plays Honky Tonk, RCA Victor (LPM-26, 1951)
- Top Pops, RCA Victor (LPM-3024, 1952)
- For Me And My Gal, RCA Victor (LPM-3059, 1952)
- Frankie Carle's Piano Party, Columbia (CL 531, 1953)
- Honky Tonk Piano, RCA Victor (LPM-1188, 1956)
- Cocktail Time with Frankie Carle, RCA Victor (LPM-1221, 1956)
- Frankie Carle's Sweethearts, RCA Victor (LPM 1222, 1956)
- Mediterranean Cruise, RCA Victor (LPM-1275, 1956)
- Around The World RCA Victor (LPM/LSP-1499, 1958)
- 37 Favorites For Dancing RCA Victor (LSP-1868, 1958)
- The Piano Style of Frankie Carle, RCA Camden (CAL 478, 1959)
- Show Stoppers for Dance Time, RCA Victor (LPM-1963, 1959)
- The Golden Touch RCA Victor (LPM-2139, 1959)
- A Carle-Load of Hits, RCA Victor (LPM-2148, 1959)
- Honky-Tonk Hits by the Dozen, RCA Victor (LSP-2491, 1962)
- 30 Hits of the Flaming 40s, RCA Victor (LPM-2881, LSP-2504, 1962)
- 30 Hits of the Tuneful '20s RCA Victor (LPM/LSP-2592, 1963)
- 30 Hits of the Thundering 30s, RCA Victor (LPM/LSP-2593, 1963)
- Roses in Rhythm, Columbia (CL 913, 1963)
- Frankie Carle Plays the Big Imported Hits, RCA Victor (LSP-2920, 1964)
- Frankie Carle Plays the Great Piano Hits, RCA Victor (LSP-3425, 1965)
- Era The 50's Dot (DLP 25928, 1966)
- Frankie Carle, Dot (DLP 25789, 1967)
- Somewhere My Love, Dot (DLP 25802/25804, 1967)
- Era: The 40's, Dot (DLP 25877, 1968)
- Ridin' High, Vocalion (VL 3622)
- Sunrise Serenade, Harmony (HS 11217)
Compositions
Carle's music was known for being light because of his buoyant touch; this resulted in romantic, danceable melodies which were very popular. His major compositions included "Sunrise Serenade", "Falling Leaves", "Roses in the Rain", "Lover's Lullaby", "Swing and a Miss", "Syncopated Doll", "This Day", "Travelin' Mood", "When Your Lips Met Mine", "Why Oh Why", "You Are There", "You and the Stars and Me", "Carle Boogie", "Sunrise Boogie", "Sunrise in Napoli", "Georgianna", "Blue Fantasy", "I Didn't Know", "The Golden Touch" and "The Apple Valley Waltz".Later years and death
In 1989, Carle was Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame alongside such other greats as Glenn MillerGlenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
and Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
. Carle died of natural causes in Mesa, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
in 2001, a few weeks shy of his 98th birthday. Catholic, Carle had a mass of Christian burial at the Holy Cross Church in Mesa, Arizona. He is survived by his daughter, Marjorie Hughes, granddaughter, Susan Douce, and great-granddaughter, Veronica.
External links
- New York Times obituary: "Frankie Carle, 97, Band Leader Who Wrote 'Sunrise Serenade'", by William H. Honan, March 10, 2001
- Frankie Carle at Solid!
- Frankie Carle at Space Age Pop Music
- Frankie Carle at Musicmatch Guide