Frank Teschemacher (March 13, 1906, Kansas City, Missouri –
March 1, 1932, Chicago) was an American jazz clarinetist and alto-saxophonist,
associated with the "Austin High" gang (along with Jimmy McPartland,
Bud Freeman and others). He was born in Kansas City ,
Missouri , but spent most of his career
based in Chicago , Illinois ,
although gigs sometimes took him to New York City ,
around the U.S. Midwest, and he also took a job in Florida
with Charlie Straight.
Strongly influenced by cornetist Bix Beiderbecke, he was
mainly self-taught on his instruments; early on he also doubled on violin and
banjo. He started playing the clarinet professionally in 1925. He began
recording under his own name in 1928 and made what are believed to be his final
recordings two years later, although there is now reason to believe (via sine
wave recording research, aka Smith/Westbrook Method) that he appeared on
unidentified recordings as late as 1930. His intense solo work laid the groundwork
for a rich sound and creative approach, that is credited with influencing a
young Benny Goodman and a style of which Pee Wee Russell is perhaps the
best-known representative. He also made recordings on the saxophone. Late in
his career, he returned to playing violin with Jan Garber's sweet dance
orchestra, trying to earn a living in the midst of the Great Depression.
Although he was well known in the world of jazz, he did not live to enjoy
popular success in the swing era.
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