Born in Detroit, Michigan, in a family that included brothers Russell and Gasper, Rosolino studied the guitar with his father starting at age 9. Frank took up the trombone at age 14, and graduated from Miller High School, while playing in the Cass Tech Symphony Orchestra, a fine music program that also produced Donald Byrd. Following service in the U.S. Army's 86th Division during World War II, he played with the big bands of Bob Chester, Glen Gray, Tony Pastor, Herbie Fields, and Gene Krupa. He became famous during a stint in the most popular of Stan Kenton's progressive big bands, (1952-1954), and settled in Los Angeles, where he worked with everybody in the business: Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars (1954-1960), Terry Gibbs, Shorty Rogers, Benny Carter, Buddy Rich, Dexter Gordon, Carl Fontana, Jean "Toots" Thielmans, Stan Levey, Shelly Manne, Pete Christlieb, Bobby Knight, Conte Candoli, Med Flory, Donn Tremmer, Mel Tormé, Louis Bellson, Marty Paich, Zoot Sims, Quincy Jones, and Tutti Camarata. He attempted to maintain his popularity in the 1970s through high-profile associations with non-jazz bands, including Tower of Power and Brass Machine, but most fans remember this period in his career through his association with Med Flory's Supersax.
Frank's third wife, and the mother of their two sons, committed suicide in February 1972 in Los Angeles, California, and he was overheard telling his girlfriend that her suicide forced him to contemplate his own death. He died in 1978 in Van Nuys, California, committing suicide after shooting both sons, Justin, 9, and Jason, 7, his only children. Jason survived, blinded, and was adopted by his mother's cousin, Claudia Eien, and her husband Gary.
The International Trombone Association established its first award for jazz trombone in Frank's memory, and he continues to be remembered as one of the greatest jazz trombone players of all time.
Too Marvelous For Words
Frank Rosolino Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like glorious, glamorous and that old standby amorous
It's all too wonderful, I'll never find the words
That say enough, tell enough, I mean they just aren't swell enough
You're much too much and just too very, very
To ever be in Webster's Dictionary
And so I'm borrowing a love song from the birds
To tell you that you're marvelous, too marvelous for words
You're much, you're too much and just too very, very
To ever be, to ever be in Webster's Dictionary
And so I'm borrowing a love song from the birds
To tell you that you're marvelous, tell you that you're marvelous
Tell you that you're marvelous, too marvelous for words
In Frank Rosolino's song "Too Marvelous For Words," the singer is expressing their admiration for someone who is beyond words. The person in question is so amazing that even the most glowing adjectives fall short of capturing their true essence. The singer describes them as "glorious, glamorous and that old standby amorous," but even these words are not enough to convey the depth of their admiration. The singer concludes that the person is "too marvelous for words," and instead borrows a love song from the birds to express their feelings.
At its core, "Too Marvelous For Words" is a song about the limitations of language. Even the most talented poets and writers can sometimes struggle to capture the full extent of their emotions in words. The song acknowledges this fact in a playful way, with the singer using exaggeration and hyperbole to emphasize just how amazing the person they're describing is.
In many ways, "Too Marvelous For Words" is a fitting tribute to Frank Rosolino himself, who was widely regarded as one of the greatest trombonists in jazz history. Rosolino's technical skill and boundless creativity set the bar high for other musicians, and his influence can still be heard in jazz today.
Line by Line Meaning
You're just too marvelous, too marvelous for words
You are extremely admirable and remarkable beyond description.
Like glorious, glamorous and that old standby amorous
You resemble grandeur, elegance, and romantic affection.
It's all too wonderful, I'll never find the words
Everything about you is delightful, but I can't express it fully.
That say enough, tell enough, I mean they just aren't swell enough
Even though I try to articulate my feelings, my words fall short.
You're much too much and just too very, very
You are excessively extraordinary and exceedingly perfect.
To ever be in Webster's Dictionary
You are beyond words and can't be defined in a traditional manner.
And so I'm borrowing a love song from the birds
I am using the sweet melodies of nature to express my affection.
To tell you that you're marvelous, too marvelous for words
I want to convey that you are exceptionally amazing and indescribable.
You're much, you're too much and just too very, very
You are abundant in every sense of the word.
To tell you that you're marvelous, tell you that you're marvelous
I need to emphasize that you are truly magnificent.
Tell you that you're marvelous, too marvelous for words
I can't stress enough how extraordinary you are.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY MERCER, RICHARD A. WHITING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind