Background
Tony, and his sister Maria, grew up in Greenwich Village, part of Manhattan, New New York
Tony, and his sister Maria, grew up in Greenwich Village, part of Manhattan, New New York
He died of liver cirrhosis in 1969. Fruscella played in an Army band early in his career. He served as a sideman for numerous jazz musicians in the 1950s, including Charlie Barnet, Lester Young, Gerry Mulligan (1954) and Stan Getz (1955).
He played with Don Joseph later in the 1950s, but by the early 1960s his problems with drug abuse and alcoholism sidelined him from active performance.
The marriage ended in divorce after nine years. They had a daughter Graysan (1950–2008) and have a grandson, Morgan
Tony Fruscella released only one record as a leader during his lifetime, 1955"s I"ll Be Seeing You (with Allen Eager and Danny Bank) on Atlantic Records.
Several reissues of live material and studio outtakes followed his death.