Frank Hunter
Frank Hunter, at the age of 20 in 1940, began playing first trombone in the house band at radio station WCAU in Philadelphia. After going out "on the road" with the Al Donahue Orchestra, he returned to WCAU and played trombone, arranging for the Johnny Warrington Band. Then, in 1943, "Uncle Sam" called and Frank was off to Camp Lee, VA, where he was asked to score a musical revue, Deliver the Goods. In 1944, he received orders to report to the West Point Band where he doubled on trombone and arranged shows. After his discharge, Frank was back on the road, this time with the Elliot Lawrence Band. While travelling the country he received a call to be the arranger for the "Swing and Sway" maestro, Sammy Kaye. Then came a four year stint as arranger for the "Paul Whiteman TV Teen Club" show on ABC. After a brief time in 1956 with the Tex Beneke Band in New York, Frank retired his trombone and continued arranging full time. Then, from 1973-1975 he was music director for the Mike Douglas TV Show out of Philadelphia.
During his career Frank has arranged well over 200 albums with some of the biggest names in show business, including: Hoagy Carmichael, Kate Smith, Vic Damone, Connie Francis, Roger Williams, Robert Goulet, Lionel Hampton, Joe Williams. Ed Ames, Frankie Avalon, Sergio Franchi, Lionel Hampton, Marion McPartland and Peter Nero as well as many others. In addition, Frank has arranged for the Glenn Miller Band, the Philadelphia Brass Quintet, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Baltimore Symphony. Frank continues to arrange for pops orchestras, jazz bands and even musical theatre. His dance band music libraries reside at the Hartt School, University of Hartford (CT), where he taught in 1977 & 1978. His arrangements are published by Clear Mud Publications.
