Don Fagerquist

Biography

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Biography

Discography

Transcriptions

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Don Fagerquist was born February 6, 1927, in Worcester, Massachusetts. An excellent West Coast big band and studio player, Fagerquist was a featured soloist with several name bands, including

• Mal Hallett (1943)
• Gene Krupa (1944-1950)
• Artie Shaw (1949-1950)
• Gramercy Five (1949-1950)
• Woody Herman (1951-1952)
• Les Brown (1953)
• Dave Pell Octet (1953-1959)

Despite high demand for his services as a lyrical soloist, he only recorded twice as a leader: a half-date for Capitol in 1955 (reissued as part of the Dave Pell Octet CD I Had the Craziest Dream) and a complete project for Mode in 1957 (Music to Fill a Void).

In 1956, Fagerquist signed on as a staff musician for Paramount Films, while still periodically recording with artists such as Shelly Manne, Mel Torme, and Art Pepper.

Throughout the early- to mid-1960s, Fagerquist's solos could be heard on the recordings of Pete Rugolo, Frank Comstock, Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Paul Weston, Si Zentner, and many others.

Don Fagerquist died January 24, 1974, at his home in California.