Real Audio sound clip 2:49secs (331 kb)
When the Sydney Trocadero opened on the 4th April 1936 Frank Coughlan and his Dance Band became world famous over night. He was to be associated with the Trocadero for the next 35 years leading the band there for most of the 36 years of the Trocadero's existence in Sydney.
The name of Frank Coughlan became synonymous with the Sydney Trocadero. Even to this day people who knew him as a friend, fellow musician or as a member of the public who went to the Trocadero in the golden era of ballroom dancing, swing and jazz recall with great admiration and affection the dapper musician with his pencil thin moustache who lead the Trocadero Danceband with such brilliance and flair. His rapport with the public is legendary - everyone knew Frank. As well as dance music, Frank and his orchestra brought Sydney's lovers of jazz and swing to the Trocadero for dancing and listening to jazz
Early Days
Frank Coughlan was born in the New South Wales mining town of Emmaville in 1904. He was the third son of William Kershaw Coughlan and his wife Elizabeth (nee Parr) Coughlan. Like his brothers he learnt music from his father who was Band Master of the Emmaville Brass Band, and later in Glen Innes.
The family moved to Sydney in 1923 where Frank began his career in music. His first job was with the first jazz group to come to Australia in 1924 - the Californians. This group was a sensation in Sydney and Melbourne throughout the 1920's decade and Frank gained his first experience with dance music and jazz.
The Trip To England
With his wife Nell (nee Waddington) he sailed to England in 1929. Frank was very successful in England , he was fortunate enough to walk right into the leading dance bands of the day - playing at the Savoy Hotel, Claridges, the Kit Kat Club and many others.
He recorded with Jack Hilton's Band, Fred Elizalde, Arthur Rosebery and the New Mayfair Orchestra.
The Great Depression
Unfortunately he didn't remain in England very long as the Great Depression of the 1930s was upon them and they returned to Sydney early in 1930. During these hard years of the Depression he found work in dance bands in Melbourne and Sydney.
The Trocadero
In 1935 the first great 'break came' when he was given the most prestigious job in Australia becoming the Leader of the Sydney Trocadero Orchestra in 1936.
Frank Coughlan lead that Orchestra for most of the 35 years of the Trocadero's existence. Everyone knew Frank and during these years he played for thousands upon thousands of ballroom dancers, officiated at Gala events, Royal Visits - everyone who came to Sydney went to the Sydney Trocadero.
Frank Coughlan has often been referred to as the Father of Australian Jazz. A title which is well deserved.
He successfully combined a career as dance band leader in the commercial world of dance, with that of a dedicated jazzman. He played with an innate understanding and feeling for its every aspect. This love of jazz was with him every moment of his life, he never took it for granted. Whenever the opportunity presented itself he would get together with other jazz 'buffs' to play with enthusiasm and total dedication to the music.
Those who listened, or played music with him, could never doubt his total involvement and expertise in the playing of jazz and swing music.
His career spanned fifty years from 1922 to 1971, a period of tremendous diversity in popular music. He followed his own musical convictions, with no apologies to anyone, in the world of popular dancing and jazz/swing - call it what you will.
With special thanks to
Joan Ford for making this special feature possible.
CD entitled - King of the Trocadero, Frank
Coughlan - LRH428 was issued in 1996 and is available from - Larrikin Entertainment, Festival
Records PO Box 16, Pyrmont, NSW 2009, Australia
CD entitled - The Troc - MBS JAZZ 8 - available from -
Dr B. Johnson, 2MBS-FM, 76 Chandos Street, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
Frank in 1924
His first job with The Californians
The Maestro - April 1936
Sydney Trocadero Orchestra
Opening Night
(This is the publicity photo used on
all the billboards around Sydney)
Frank Coughlan
1938
Frank Coughlan - 1948
On his return to the Trocadero
after World War 2
Frank jamming at the Trocadero
About 1960
READ THE BOOK !
'Meet Me At The Trocadero' by Joan Ford
Published 1995 - ISBN 0 646 22017 9