Lifelong jazz pianist Frank Strazzeri died on May 9 in his hometown of Rochester, New York. Strazzeri enjoyed a long and diverse career accompanying several generations of stars and finding influential work in television and film.
A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Strazzeri started his career as a nightclub accompanist for touring performers like Billie Holiday and Roy Eldridge. He joined traditional jazz bands in New Orleans when he moved there in 1954, but soon hooked up with the bebop scene, traveling with Charlie Ventura and Woody Herman.
He moved to Los Angeles in 1960 and found work at recording studios and in television. He served as music supervisor for the Chet Baker documentary Let’s Get Lost.
