As a child prodigy, at the age of four in 1908, Rollini performed classical pieces in a piano recital at New York’s Waldorf Astoria. At 18 he joined the high-flying California Ramblers on xylophone and piano, and in spare time between gigs – astonishingly, over just a couple of weeks – taught himself to play bass saxophone, which became his main instrument.
With ground-breaking technical virtuosity and creative verve he learned to coax spirited rhythmic patterns from the unwieldy giant, and taught it to dance. In his hands its potential as an effective jazz instrument was first established, rather like Bechet with the soprano, and Hawkins with the tenor.
Bechet himself was to double on bass sax with the Noble Sissle Orchestra. Rollini also popularised the “goofus” and the “hot fountain pen”, short-lived novelty instruments for the carefree 20s. These are described in detail in Digby Fairweather’s interesting and informative notes. A jazz celebrity by 1927, Rollini left the Ramblers to broaden his career as a much sought-after freelance session musician. (His name crops up on over 1,500 recordings.)
This recent album contains a well-chosen selection from his major recordings in the heyday of his career, before WW2. The 26-track trawl includes several acclaimed classic recordings as Rollini performed alongside top celebrities of the white New York jazz scene of the day – Red Nicholls and Miff Mole, Venuti and Lang, the Dorsey brothers, Goodman and Teagarden – and most famously perhaps, with Bix and His Gang.
Besides adding muscle and depth to the backing and arranged ensemble passages, he contributed witty, surprisingly mobile breaks and lively, creative solos, always fitting in comfortably. Vibraphonia in 1933 indicated a shifting instrumental preference, and the vibraphone soon became his main instrument. Still innovative, his soft-toned four-mallet style, facilitating chorded phrasing, pre-dated Gary Burton’s so-called innovation 25 years later. The appealing closing tracks feature a young Buddy Rich and some sublime Bobby Hackett.
Like the bass sax itself, Rollini faded from prominence as jazz styles continued to evolve (though British bandleader Harry Gold, who had heard Rollini as a child, notably kept the flag flying). But Rollini’s exceptional legacy seems secure. Another well-deserved tribute album in Retrospective’s commendable series.
Discography
(1) Cornfed; (2) After You’ve Gone; (3) Beatin’ The Dog; (1) Feelin’ No Pain; (4) Honolulu Blues; (3) A Mug Of Ale; (5) At The Jazz Band Ball; Jazz Me Blues; (6) Dixie; Arkansas Blues; (7) My Melancholy Baby; (6) Nobody’s Sweetheart; (8) Karavan; (4) Lucky Little Devil; (9) Hey, Young Fella! (10) Vibraphonia; (11) SavageSerenade; It Had To Be You; Sugar; Davenport Blues; (12) Bouncin’ In Rhythm; (11) Tap Room Swing; Swing Low; Bill; (13) You’re A Sweetheart ; Small Fry (78.08)
Rollini (bs, gfs, hfp, vib, cel) on all tracks with: (1) Red Nichols And His Five Pennies. (2) The California Ramblers. (3) Joe Venuti And His Blue Four. (4) Miff Mole And His Molers. (5) Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang. (6) Fred Elizalde Orch. (7) The Dorsey Brothers Orch. (8) The Louisiana Rhythm Kings. (9) Joe Venuti And Eddie Lang Blue Five. (10) Joe Venuti Blue Five. (11) Adrian Rollini Orch. (12) Adrian Rollini Tap Room Gang. (13) Adrian Rollini Quintet. Recorded NY (except Elizalde, London). Miscellaneous dates, 1927-1938. Personnel includes Red Nichols, Miff Mole, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Bix Beiderbecke, Glenn Miller, Bunny Berigan, Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Wingy Manone, Bobby Hackett and Buddy Rich.
Retrospective RCR 4419
