FRANK VICTOR
From The Archives 1897-1940
Thanks to the generosity of the Viggiano Estate, venutilang.com is excited to offer an exclusive look into Frank Victor's family archives. This collection features never-before-seen personal images, documents, and music folios created by the guitarist. While Frank Victor may not be a household name in the guitar community, he played a significant role in promoting the instrument among musicians, hobbyists, and readers during its early years in jazz and pop music. Today's fifty million guitar players can learn a great deal from Frank Victor's remarkable contributions to the guitar's history, performance, and instruction.
FRANK VICTOR
Guitar, Banjo, Composer, Teacher, Writer, Historian
b. Francesco Carmine Amerigo Viggianno, July 7, 1897, New York City
d. February 25, 1970, Bronx, New York
Frank Victor, one of Eddie Lang's earliest disciples, deserves recognition for his remarkable guitar skills and contributions to music. Although he often worked behind the scenes, he collaborated with classic jazz legends Joe Venuti and Adrian Rollini. Victor wrote and recorded guitar duets with Harry Volpe and gained prominence through his articles in The Metronome.
After Eddie Lang's death in 1933, Dick McDonough became Venuti's first choice for sessions, but in 1934, Venuti referred to Victor as his "Compagno" during their year of touring and recording. When Venuti toured with a big band in 1935, Victor stayed in New York and connected with Adrian Rollini, who was seeking to form his own group.
Rollini achieved success as a vibraphonist in the mid-1930s, leading the Adrian Rollini Trio starting in 1936. This trio, featuring vibes, guitar, and bass, became active with recordings and performances, and Victor played with them until 1941.
Victor also excelled as a music historian, providing valuable articles that capture the era's leading guitar figures. His profiles on Dick McDonough and Carl Kress offer intimate insights into these artists. (See Frank Victor: The Metronome Profiles)
FRANK VICTOR FROM THE ARCHIVES
1897
1897, July 7, New York City: b. Francesco Carmine Amerigo Viggianno.
ca. 1907
Victor began his study of music on the mandolin and was one of the pioneers on the tenor banjo. (6)
1920
1920, November 7 (Sun): Marries Giovonna (Jennie) Bocchino, Bronx, NY.
ca. 1923-1926
ca. 1923-1926: Frank quickly landed a job with Eddie Leonard’s Minstrel Show, a well-known touring organization. The troupe enlivened every tank town from Maine to Frisco during the next three years. (8)
1926
ca.1926, September-December, meets Eddie Lang, NYC.
1929
1929: He played with Paul Specht in the early days (5) and recorded with Specht for Columbia Records in 1929.
ca. 1930
c. 1930: With David Mendoza, doing shorts for the Vitaphone. (6)
1932
1932, September-December: With Nat Brusiloff in the Nestles program, in the last edition of the Earl Carrol Vanities.
1933
1933: Frank Victor, soloist with the Capitol Grand Orchestra, NYC. (6)
1933: Frank Victor (front row, seated on the floor, fourth from the left) with Major Bowes and His Capitol Theatre Family.
c. 1933: Frets & Strings, Composed and arranged by Frank Victor, Published 1933, Al. Rocky Music Co.
1933, June: The Metronome-ad for Frank Victor’s New Notation for Guitar
1933, July: The Metronome-Guitar Questions Answered by Frank Victor.
1933, August: The Metronome-Effective Solo Playing On Guitar by Frank Victor.
1933, August: The Metronome-Guitar Questions Answered by Frank Victor.
1933, September: The Metronome- Who’s Who Among Guitarists, Introducing Harry Volpe by Frank Victor. (see Frank Victor, THE METRONOME PROFILES)
1933, September: The Metronome-Guitar Questions Answered by Frank Victor.
1933, September: The Metronome-ad for Al Rocky Company, Frank Victor & Harry Volpe Published Solo’s.
1933, October: The Metronome- Who’s Who Among Guitarists, Introducing Carl Kress by Frank Victor. (see Frank Victor, THE METRONOME PROFILES)
1933, October: The Metronome-Guitar Questions Answered by Frank Victor.
1933, November: The Metronome- Who’s Who Among Guitarists, Introducing Dick McDonough by Frank Victor. (see Frank Victor, THE METRONOME PROFILES)
1933, November: The Metronome-Guitar Questions Answered by Frank Victor.
1934
1934, August 15 (Wed): Records with Wingy Manone and His Orchestra.
1934, August 17 (Fri): Records with Joe Venuti and His Orchestra.
1934, c. August 17 (Fri): Joe Venuti, Sarah (Sally) Venuti, Frank Viggiano (Frank Victor) depart NYC aboard the RMS Berengaria.
1934, August 24 (Fri): Joe Venuti, Sarah (Sally) Venuti, Frank Viggiano (Frank Victor) arrive Southampton, England.
1934, August 27 (Mon)- September 3 (Mon): Joe Venuti, Frank Victor, Teddy Joyce and his band, VARIETY SHOW, The Palladium, London, England.
1934, September 20 (Thu): records with Joe Venuti and His Blue Four for Regal-Zonophone, London, England. (4)
HELL’S BELLS AND HALLELUJAH (4)
SATAN’S HOLIDAY (4)
1934, September 24 (Mon): Joe Venuti, Sarah (Sally) Venuti, and Frank Viggiano (Frank Victor) arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark, by train.
1934, September 24 (Mon) & 26 (Wed): Joe Venuti, Frank Victor, Otto Lington Orchestra, CONCERT, Odd Fellow Palaet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
1934, September 30, 1934 (Sun): Joe Venuti, Sarah (Sally) Venuti and Frank Victor arrive in Stockholm, Sweden.
1934, October 1 (Mon) & 2 (Tue), 1934: Joe Venuti, Frank Victor, Charles Redland Orchestra CONCERT, Auditorium concert hall, Stockholm, Sweden.
1934, October 24 (Wed): Joe Venuti, Sarah (Sally) Venuti, Frank Viggiano (Frank Victor) depart Southampton, England on SS Manhattan.
1934, November 1 (Thu): Joe Venuti, Sarah (Sally) Venuti, and Frank Viggiano (Frank Victor) arrive in New York.
1934, December 26 (Wed)-28 (Fri): records with Joe Venuti for the Associated Record Program Service.
DOIN’ THINGS: Venuti/Victor duet.
DARK EYES: Venuti/Victor duet.
THE WILD DOG: Venuti/Victor duet.
GUITAR IMPROVISATION: Frank Victor, solo guitar feature.
PRETTY TRIX: Venuti/Victor duet.
1935
1935 March 20: records with Joe Venuti Blue Four for Decca Records.
1936
ca. 1936: Pick It & Play It, Composed and arranged by Frank Victor, published by Radio City Guitar Studio.
c. 1936: Stringin' Along With Annabelle, Composed and arranged by Frank Victor, published Radio City Guitar, 1936.
c. 1936: Etude I, Composed and arranged by Frank Victor, published Radio City Guita Studior, 1936.
1936 June 24 (Wed): Frank Victor & Harry Volpe Guitar Duets, Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC.
Frank Victor-guitar, Harry Volpe-guitar.
SWEET STRINGS-Decca 1124
EASY LIKE-Decca 1124
1936 July 20 (Mon): Frank Victor & Harry Volpe Guitar Duets, Decca Records. (2)
Frank Victor-guitar, Harry Volpe-guitar.
PAGAN FANTASY-Decca 1290
SWINGIN’ THE SCALE-Decca 1290
1936 November 28 (Sat): Adrian Rollini, CBS RADIO BROADCAST, Saturday Night Swing Club, NYC. (1)
Adrian Rollini-bass saxophone, hot fountain pen; Frank Victor-guitar; Bunny Berigan Orchestra.
SWING LOW (Rollini)
VIBROLLINI (Rollini)
1936 December 4 (Fri): records with Adrian Rollini Trio for Decca Records.
VIBROLLINI-Decca 1132
DRIFTIN’-Decca 1157
1937
1937 January: During Broadcasts from the Hickory House from January 1937, Rollini is heard only on vibraphone, with Frank Victor on guitar. (1)
1937, January 11 (Mon): Adrian Rollini Trio, Decca RECORDING SESSION, NYC. (1) (2)
Adrian Rollini-vibraphone, Frank Victor-guitar, Haig Stephens-bass.
REBOUND-Decca 1157
JITTERS-Decca 1132
1937, March 24: records with Dick Robertson and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1937, March 26: records with Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra for Victor Records.
1937, March 28: records with Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra for Victor Records.
1937, April 30: records with Dick Robertson and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1937, May 20: records with Bob Howard and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1937, June 12: Adrian Rollini Trio, CBS RADIO BROADCAST, Saturday Night Swing Club, NYC. (3)
REBOUND
1937, June 17: records with Dick Robertson and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1937, July 9: records with Bob Howard and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1937, July 21: records with Dick Robertson and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1937, August 3: records with Teddy Grace for Decca Records.
1937, August 24: records with Dick Robertson and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1937, September 30: records with Bob Howard and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1937, October 7: records with Dick Robertson and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1937, October 19: records with Dick Robertson and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1937, October 21: records with Dick Robertson and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1937, October 25: records with Dick Robertson
1937, November 23: with Richard Himber and His Essex House Orchestra, ESSEX HOUSE, CASINO-ON-THE-PARK, NYC. (1)
1937, December 17: records with Richard Himber and His Essex House Orchestra for Victor Records.
1937, December 17: records with Richard Himber’s Seven Stylists for Victor Records.
1938
1938: A rough account for the years 1938-39 shows over 200 Rollini broadcasts in two years. At the time Harry Clark joined Rollini, the small group was on the air twice a week with NBC/WOR, on top of his two broadcasts, a day with Himber at the Essex. Daytime broadcasts were from Bamberger’s store in Newark and evenings from Macy’s in Manhattan. (1)
1938 January 7: records with Adrian Rollini and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1938 January 18: records with Adrian Rollini Quintet for Decca Records.
1938, January 31: records with Al Duffy Four for Decca Records.
FUNICULI, FUNICULA
1938, March 26: Adrian Rollini Quintet, CBS RADIO BROADCAST, Saturday Night Swing Club, NYC. (1)
1938, March 27: Adrian Rollini Quintet, NBC/WNEW RADIO BROADCAST, NYC. (1)
FRANK VICTOR DATEBOOK-April 24-May 7, 1938 (7)
1938, April 24 (Sun): Richard Himber job at 6 pm (7).
1938 April 25 (Mon): 9:30 am TBD, 1 pm TBD, 6:45 pm Rollini Trio Broadcast, WEAF (7).
1938 April 26 (Tue): Rollini Trio-Quartet, World Broadcasting, 5:45 pm. Gil Kahn Party 9:30 to 4 am (7).
1938 April 29 (Fri): Hotel Roosevelt dance job for (Richard) Himber. (Paul) Whiteman broadcast from the World’s Fair grounds, WABC (7).
1938 April 30 (Sat): NBC (broadcast), 9:15, Rollini Trio (7).
1938 May 1 (Sun): WJZ (broadcast), Rollini 5:30 pm (7).
1938 May 3 (Tue): NBC (broadcast), 6:45 pm, Adrian (Rollini) (7).
1938 May 4 Wed): Opened Piccadilly (Hotel), Cocktail Bar, Rollini Trio, 9 to 1 am (7).
1938 May 5 (Thu): (Piccadilly (Hotel), Cocktail Bar, Rollini Trio), 8:30 pm (to) 2 am (7).
1938 May 6 (Fri): (Piccadilly (Hotel), Cocktail Bar, Rollini Trio), 8:30 pm (to) 2 am (7).
1938 May 7 (Sat): (Piccadilly (Hotel), Cocktail Bar, Rollini Trio), 9:30 pm (to) 3 am (7).
1938, May: Adrian Rollini Trio, broadcasting nightly from the Piccadilly Hotel Roof Terrace, NYC. (1)
1938, June: Richard Himber Orchestra w/Adrian Rollini Trio, ESSEX HOUSE, CASINO-ON-THE-PARK, NYC. (1)
1938 June 23 (Thu): records with Adrian Rollini Quintet, Vocalion Records.
1938, c. August: Adrian Rollini Trio, CBS RADIO BROADCAST, Paul Whiteman’s Chesterfield Show, NYC. (1)
1938, August 13 (Sat): Adrian Rollini Trio @ Piccadilly Hotel, “Gridiron Night,” NYC. (1)
1938, September 8 (Thu): Adrian Rollini Trio, RADIO BROADCAST, Manhattan Soup, NYC. (1)
1938, September 17 (Sat): Adrian Rollini Trio, nightly @ Piccadilly Hotel, Georgia Room & the Circus Bar, NYC. (1)
1938, October: Adrian Rollini Trio, RADIO BROADCAST, The Kate Smith Hour, NYC. (1)
1938, Fall & Winter: Adrian Rollini Trio, nightly @ Piccadilly Hotel, Georgia Room & the Circus Bar, NYC. (1)
1938, November 9-15: Adrian Rollini Trio @ Band Box Nightclub, NYC. (1)
1938, December 3: Adrian Rollini Trio, RADIO BROADCAST, The Kate Smith Hour, NYC. (1)
1938, December 4: Adrian Rollini Trio @ Leon & Eddie’s Nightclub, NYC. (1)
1938, c. late December: Adrian Rollini Trio @ the Glass Hat Nightclub, NYC. (1)
1939
1939: with Adrian Rollini Trio, SWING STYLES, Vitaphone film session.
1939, March 31: records with the Andrews Sisters for Decca Records.
1939, May 3: records with the Andrews Sisters for Decca Records.
1939, August 22: records with Leo Watson and His Orchestra for Decca Records.
1939 September 28: records with Adrian Rollini Trio for Vocalion/OKeh Records.
1939 October 5: records with Adrian Rollini Trio for Vocalion/OKeh Records.
1940
1940, February 21: records with Erskine Butterfield and His Blue Boys for Decca Records.
1940, May 3: records with Erskine Butterfield and His Blue Boys for Decca Records.
1940 May 7: records with Adrian Rollini Trio for OKeh Records.
1940, May 27: records with Erskine Butterfield and His Blue Boys for Decca Records.
1940, August 9: records with Erskine Butterfield and His Blue Boys for Decca Records.
SOURCES
1. Adrian Rollini, The Life and Music of a Jazz Rambler, Ate van Delden, University Press of Mississippi, 2020.
2. Jazz Records 1897-1942, 4th Revised and Enlarged Edition, Brian Rust, Arlington House, 1978.
3. Saturday Night Swing Club, Memphis Archives MA 7002, 1994.
4. The Classic Columbia and OKeh Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang Sessions, Mosaic Records MD8-213, 2002.
5. The American Dance Band Discography 1917-1942, Brian Rust, Arlington House, 1975.
6. (The) Metronome, June 1933.
7. Frank Victor Datebook, April 24-May 7, 1938.
8. A Frank Record, B. M. Lyton-Edwards, Swing Music, June 1935.