Sonny Dallas

Who was Sonny Dallas?

Francis Dominic Joseph Dallas, also known as Frank "Sonny" Dallas, was an American jazz bassist and singer.

Born in Rankin, Pennsylvania, Dallas studied bass with Herman Clements, principal bassist of the Pittsburgh Symphony, who also taught jazz bassists Ray Brown and Paul Chambers, and by the mid '50s, was working with bandleaders Charlie Spivak, Ray Eberle, and Claude Thornhill.

Moving to New York in 1955, he began performing and recording with the likes of Sal Salvador, Tony Scott, Chet Baker and Buck Clayton, Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, Phil Woods, Gene Quill, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Elvin Jones, Mary Lou Williams, Bill Evans, George Wallington, Jackie Paris and Lennie Tristano, with whom he was most closely associated.

Moving to Long Island in the late '60s, he obtained a Master of Arts degree in music education and began teaching at both Suffolk County Community College and Dowling College.

Down Beat listed Sonny Dallas as one of the top ten greatest jazz bassists.

Dallas died in Long Island, New York. Survived by two daughters, Deborah Marko of North Braddock, Pennsylvania, and Elizabeth Dallas of New York; a son, Robert Dallas of Frederick, Maryland.