Dave Frishberg

Upon leaving the U.S. Air Force, Dave Frishberg began his professional career playing piano in New York nightclubs. During the 1960s, he played in bands led by Bobby Hackett, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Ben Webster, and Gene Krupa. He also accompanied many singers, including Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, Irene Kral, and Jimmy Rushing. About this time, Frishberg began writing songs; several of them were performed by O’Day, Blossom Dearie, Al Jarreau, Cleo Laine, and others. In 1971, he moved to Los Angeles, where he worked in film and television studios, spent a long stint with Herb Alpert, and began performing a cabaret-style act that combined superb jazz piano playing with his witty songs delivered in an eccentric vocal style.