Frank Culley

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frank "Floor Show" Culley (* 7 August 1917 in Salisbury (Maryland) ; † 15. April 1981 in Newark (New Jersey) ) was an American rhythm and blues - saxophonist .

Live and act

Frank Culley was born in the state of Maryland and grew up in Norfolk, Virginia . He started playing the tenor sax at the age of ten and made his debut as a professional musician with Johnson's Happy Pals, which performed in the Richmond, Virginia area . In the mid-1940s he founded his own R&B group, with which he made his first recordings in New York for the Lenox label and in December 1947 took part in recordings of Wynonie Harris for King Records (" Good Rockin 'Tonight "). In 1948 he got a recording contract with Atlantic Records and directed their first studio band, which accompanied early rhythm and blues artists on recordings; In addition, around thirty titles were created for the label under its own name, on which the pianist Harry Van Walls also participated.

Culley's first release for Atlantic "Cole Slaw" was made in January 1949 and reached # 11 on the R&B charts ; on the back was a cover version of the Lionel Hampton title "Central Avenue Breakdown" (Atlantic 874). This was followed by the number "Floorshow" (Atlantic 880) recorded in the same session. This song became his nickname. "Floorshow" Culley's next single "After Hour Session" (Atlantic 888) hit # 10 on the R&B charts; the reverse contained the title "Rhumboogie Jive". After leaving Atlantic in 1951, Culley recorded for RCA Victor , as well as for the Parrot, Chess and Baton labels , without being able to build on earlier successes. The tracks “Mr 5 × 5” and “Clothes Pin Blues” with singer Jimmy Rushing were created for Parrot . In his band at that time u. a. the later jazz pianist Randy Weston . Five tracks by Culley, "Nine O'Clock Express", "Lindy Rock", "Go Floorshow", "Bubbles" and "Speed ​​Limit" from 1954 were coupled with on the LP Rock 'N Roll (Krazy Kat) Music by the Buddy Tate Band - released.

In 1975 he retired from the music scene and moved to Newark, where he died in 1991. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of R&B tenor saxophone playing, which enjoyed great popularity after World War II.

Sources / web links

personal data
SURNAME Culley, Frank
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Culley, Floorshow (nickname)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American rhythm and blues musician
DATE OF BIRTH August 7, 1917
PLACE OF BIRTH Salisbury, Maryland
DATE OF DEATH April 15, 1981
Place of death Newark (New Jersey)