Frank Paparelli

• Active: '40s
• Genres: Jazz
• Instrument: Songwriter, Piano

Biography

A jazz pianist in Dizzy Gillespie's band during the mid-'40s, Frank Paparelli never became a known name like some of his bandmates (such as Kenny Clarke, Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon, and Charlie Parker), but he made a contribution to a genre that has endured the decades since. Along with Gillespie, Paparelli wrote the bop classic "Night in Tunisia," as well as the less ubiquitous but still popular "Blue 'n' Boogie." Paparelli can be heard playing with Gillespie's group on the Musicraft recording Shaw Nuff, the Savoy album Groovin' High, and several compilations of mid-'40s jazz. ~ Joslyn Layne, All Music Guide