Frank Traynor was born in Melbourne’s suburbs on 8 August 1927. He discovered a love for jazz in his early teens and taught himself to play. He was drawn to the classic African American New Orleans style, with the trombone as his favorite, though he could handle most wind instruments. After university, he worked in administration but spent as many nights as possible playing jazz. He performed with his own band, the Black Bottom Stompers, later joined Les Barnard’s jazz band, and began recording with them.
In 1958, Frank started the Melbourne Jazz Club and later founded Frank Traynor’s Folk and Jazz Club on Exhibition Street in Melbourne. The club played a key role in the Australian folk music revival, hosting artists like Danny Spooner, Judith Durham, Margaret Roadknight, and many others. Frank was also a skilled music teacher, proficient in several instruments, and produced some top-charting albums. His most notable work was the 1963 track "Sweet Patootie" with the Jazz Preachers, which bubbled under the Top 40.
Frank was both an innovator and an influencer, never confining himself to just jazz but embracing as many musical opportunities as possible. Throughout his career, he made promotional appearances, recorded songs for Football League Clubs, played one-nighters at dances and balls, and launched the Jazz in Schools program. He and his band were also a staple at Athol's Abbey, an underground bar and grill at the corner of St Kilda Road and Park Street (later known as the Domain beneath the now-demolished Domain Hotel, replaced by a commercial complex in the 1970s).
Frank and the Jazz Preachers were a big part of the Melbourne City Council’s FEIP program—Free Entertainment in the Parks—throughout the ’70s, hosted by MC Robert King Crawford, with sound provided by H. C. McLean and Son Public Address. They were also regulars at the Dick Whittington Tavern on Hotham Street, St Kilda, every Saturday afternoon. In 1975, the Melbourne Jazz Festival crowned Frank the Australian King of Jazz. The band released several albums and singles, mostly on the W&G label. Frank Traynor died from leukemia in 1985, after leading Australia’s longest-running jazz band, the Jazz Preachers, for nearly 30 years, from 1956 until his death.
In 1958, Frank started the Melbourne Jazz Club and later founded Frank Traynor’s Folk and Jazz Club on Exhibition Street in Melbourne. The club played a key role in the Australian folk music revival, hosting artists like Danny Spooner, Judith Durham, Margaret Roadknight, and many others. Frank was also a skilled music teacher, proficient in several instruments, and produced some top-charting albums. His most notable work was the 1963 track "Sweet Patootie" with the Jazz Preachers, which bubbled under the Top 40.
Frank was both an innovator and an influencer, never confining himself to just jazz but embracing as many musical opportunities as possible. Throughout his career, he made promotional appearances, recorded songs for Football League Clubs, played one-nighters at dances and balls, and launched the Jazz in Schools program. He and his band were also a staple at Athol's Abbey, an underground bar and grill at the corner of St Kilda Road and Park Street (later known as the Domain beneath the now-demolished Domain Hotel, replaced by a commercial complex in the 1970s).
Frank and the Jazz Preachers were a big part of the Melbourne City Council’s FEIP program—Free Entertainment in the Parks—throughout the ’70s, hosted by MC Robert King Crawford, with sound provided by H. C. McLean and Son Public Address. They were also regulars at the Dick Whittington Tavern on Hotham Street, St Kilda, every Saturday afternoon. In 1975, the Melbourne Jazz Festival crowned Frank the Australian King of Jazz. The band released several albums and singles, mostly on the W&G label. Frank Traynor died from leukemia in 1985, after leading Australia’s longest-running jazz band, the Jazz Preachers, for nearly 30 years, from 1956 until his death.
Members
Frank Traynor (trombone), Roger Bell (trumpet), Graham Coyle (piano), Ade Monsbrough (sax / clarinet), Neil McBeth (sousaphone), Ron Williamson (bass / drums / tuba), Peter Cleaver (banjo), Les Davis (banjo), John Cavanagh (banjo), Fred Parkes (clarinet), Jim Beal (drums), Paul Gaudion (trumpet / vocal), Paul Martin (sax / clarinet), Roger Hudson (piano), Mike Edwards (guitar / banjo), Heinz Bergman (bass), Don Boardman (drums), Michael Longhurst (clarinet / sax / vocals), Jon McConechy (bass / vocals), Keith Hounslow (cornet / flugelhorn), Charlie Blott (drums)
''Sweet Patootie (#50) / Ice Cream'' 1962 W&G
''The Longest Day / Muskrat Ramble'' 1962 W&G
''Just A Closer Walk With Thee / Washington Square'' (#77) 1963 W&G
SINGLES
''While We Danced At The Mardi Gras / Mississippi Mud'' 1961 W&G''Sweet Patootie (#50) / Ice Cream'' 1962 W&G
''The Longest Day / Muskrat Ramble'' 1962 W&G
''Just A Closer Walk With Thee / Washington Square'' (#77) 1963 W&G
''Please Girls, Please (#68) / Varka Yiallo'' 1963 W&G
''A Spoonful Of Sugar / Stay Awake'' 1965 W&G
''The Tapioca / Trinkt Le Chaim (The Jewish Wedding Song)'' 1968 W&G''A Spoonful Of Sugar / Stay Awake'' 1965 W&G
EPs
'Jazz To Charleston, Shimmy And Cakewalk To!' 1961 W&G'Judy Durham' [with Judith Durham] 1963 W&G
'Washington Square' 1963 W&G
'Apex Blues' 1964 W&G
ALBUMS
'Jazz From The Pulpit' 1963 W&G
'Hear The Truth' 1964 W&G
'Trad' 1965 W&G
'Frank Traynor's Jazz Preachers Plays Show Tunes' 1967 W&G
'Thoroughly Modern Millie' 1967 W&G
'Frank Traynor's Jazz Preachers' 1967 W&G
'Put On A Happy Face' 1974 World Record Club
'Blue Turning Grey' 1977 Roseleaf
'Favourites' 1979 RoseleafReferences
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Traynor
http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/
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