Frank Rosolino - Fond Memories Of...

    The first time Frank and I worked together was during the "LOOSDRECHT FESTIVAL 1972". On the opening of that festival I wanted to do something special, and I succeeded. I organized a trombone spectacular consisting of Urbie Green, Kai Winding, Slide Hampton, Ake Persson, Frank Rosolino and Erik Van Lier! The rhythm section was Frans Elsen on piano, Rob Langereis on bass and Tony Inzalaco on drums. It was Urbie Green's birthday, the 8th of August, and I don't think he could have received a nicer present!

    That night was the beginning of many club dates, radio and television shows that we did with the Metropole Orchestra, the Louis Van Dyke trio and the Skymasters Big Band in the Netherlands. We are very grateful that some of these recordings will now appear on this CD.

    It is possible to work or have a relationship with someone for a very long time, and yet you really never know each other. In the much too short time that I had the privilege of working with Frank, we developed a warm, unique friendship. I'm speaking for myself, but I'm sure that Frank would have expressed himself the same way.

    Regardless of the short period of our relationship, the feelings of friendship, respect and love will always exist.
    I am very proud to have had the chance to work with you, Frank.

Joop de Roo May 1996
(Former head of Entertainment for Radio and Television.
Hilversum, Netherlands)
 

    Joop de Roo started his career in 1959 as producer of the department for Light Music. In 1986 he ended his broadcasting career as Head of the Entertainment of Radio and Television. Since 1986 he has been the special project manager at the Amsterdam School of Arts (Hilversum Conservatory).

    During his radio and television period he produced uncountable programs with many of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. He produced programs for Bill Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Nancy Wilson, Stan Getz, Freddie Hubbard, Phil Woods, Sonny Rollins, Carl Fontana, Max Roach, Clark Terry, Hubert Laws, Mel Lewis, Hank Jones, Sarah Vaughan and many others. His famous Dutch radio show 'Metro's Midnight Music' is the standard to which other jazz radio programs are judged.