Frank Signorelli was an important player behind the scenes as an organizer of bands and an accompanying pianist with several notable bands. In 1917 with Phil Napoleon, he was a founding member of the Original Memphis Five. He recorded extensively with that prolific group through 1931. Signorelli was briefly a member of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in 1921 and in 1927 he was in Adrian Rollini's legendary (if short-lived) New Yorker group. Signorelli appeared on many classic records with Bix Beiderbecke, Frankie Trumbauer, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang during the era plus a countless number with dance bands and backing commercial singers. He was with a newer version of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band (1936-38), worked with Paul Whiteman for a few months in 1938, and played regularly during the 1940's and 50's (including at Nick's with Bobby Hackett) and helped organize the revived Original Memphis Five. Frank Signorelli, who composed "I'll Never Be The Same," "Stairway To The Stars" and "A Blues Serenade" in the 1930's, only led three obscure record dates in his career: four titles on 08 27, 1926, four more from 1946 with a quintet that included Phil Napoleon and two songs for Stinson in 1950 backing singer Art Gentry. He however did record as a sideman as late as 1958 (with Miff Mole). ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
