Bill Rank

William C. Rank (June 8, 1904 – May 20, 1979) was an American jazz trombonist.

Rank was born in Lafayette, Indiana, United States, and initially worked in Indiana and Florida. In 1922, Rank played trombone in Tade's Singing Orchestra, which was led by violinist, Tade Dolen. Between 1923 and 1927 he played with Jean Goldkette's band in Detroit and often recorded with Bix Beiderbecke. After playing with Adrian Rollini in 1927 and a period as a freelance, Rank joined Paul Whiteman's band, and stayed until 1938. He was then a studio musician in Hollywood into the early 1940s, when he moved to Cincinnati. There, he led a tenet for the rest of the 1940s.

Rank then changed to playing part-time while also working in insurance. His one album as a leader, a tribute to Beiderbecke, was recorded in 1973. Rank continued playing until a short time before his death, on May 20, 1979, in Cincinnati.

Birth and Death Data: Born June 8, 1904 (Lafayette), Died May 20, 1979 (Cincinnati)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1924 - 1940

Roles Represented in DAHR: trombone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-30172 10-in. 1/12/1928 San Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor B-31206 10-in. 11/24/1924 I didn't know Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor B-31207 10-in. 11/24/1924 I want to see my Tennessee Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor B-31208 10-in. 11/24/1924 Remember Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor B-31209 10-in. 11/25/1924 Play me slow Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor B-31210 10-in. 11/25/1924 Honest and truly Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor B-31211 10-in. 11/25/1924 What's the use of dreamin' Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor B-31212 10-in. 11/25/1924 Adoration Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-36813 10-in. 10/12/1926 Idolizing Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-36814 10-in. 10/12/1926 I'd rather be the girl in your arms (Than the girl in your dreams) Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo (takes 5-8); with male vocal trio (takes 1-4) instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-36815 10-in. 10/12/1926 Hush-a-bye Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-36829 10-in. 10/15/1926 Sunday Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with mixed vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-36830 10-in. 10/15/1926 Cover me up with sunshine (And feather my nest with love) Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-36831 10-in. 10/15/1926 Just one more kiss Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-37579 10-in. 1/28/1927 Proud of a baby like you Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with mixed vocal trio instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-37580 10-in. 1/28/1927 I'm looking over a four leaf clover Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-37583 10-in. 1/31/1927 I'm gonna meet my sweetie now Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-37584 10-in. 1/31/1927 Hoosier sweetheart Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-37586 10-in. 2/1/1927 Look at the world and smile Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-37587 10-in. 2/1/1927 My pretty girl Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-37588 10-in. 2/1/1927 Stampede Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-37599 10-in. 2/3/1927 Sunny disposish Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-37738 10-in. 2/3/1927 A lane in Spain Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-38264 10-in. 5/16/1927 In my merry Oldsmobile Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-38267 10-in. 5/23/1927 Play it, Red Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-38268 10-in. 5/23/1927 In my merry Oldsmobile Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-38607 10-in. 5/6/1927 Slow river Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-40211 10-in. 9/15/1927 Blue river Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-40212 10-in. 9/15/1927 Clementine (From New Orleans) Jean Goldkette Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-41294 10-in. 1/4/1928 Smile Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-41465 12-in. 1/24/1928 My heart stood still Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-41471 10-in. 1/28/1928 Back in your own back yard Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-41635 12-in. 1/21/1928 Together Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-41681 10-in. 2/8/1928 There ain't no sweet man that's worth the salt of my tears Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-41682 12-in. 2/8/1928 A shady tree Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra, with male vocal solo and recitation instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-41683 10-in. 2/9/1928 Dardanella Bix Beiderbecke ; Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-41684 10-in. 2/10/1928 Love nest Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-41688 10-in. 2/13/1928 Sunshine Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-41689 10-in. 2/13/1928 From Monday on Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-41690 12-in. 2/14/1928 Grand fantasia Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-41691 12-in. 2/14/1928 Grand fantasia Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-41692 12-in. 2/16/1928 Three shades of blue Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-41693 12-in. 2/16/1928 Three shades of blue Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-41696 10-in. 2/18/1928 Mississippi mud Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with mixed vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-43116 12-in. 2/27/1928 Chloe Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-43117 12-in. 2/28/1928 High water Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43118 10-in. 2/28/1928 Sugar Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-43119 12-in. 2/29/1928 Sea burial Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43120 10-in. 2/29/1928 When you're with somebody else Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-43122 12-in. 3/1/1928 Ol' Man River Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra ; Paul Robeson Orchestra, with mixed vocal chorus and soloist instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-43124 12-in. 3/2/1928 A study in blue Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43125 10-in. 3/2/1928 Coquette Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43138 10-in. 3/12/1928 When Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43139 10-in. 3/12/1928 Down in old Havana town Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43140 10-in. 3/12/1928 I'm winging home (Like a bird that's on the wing) Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-43141 12-in. 3/13/1928 Metropolis Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-43142 12-in. 3/13/1928 Metropolis Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-43143 12-in. 3/14/1928 Metropolis Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43145 10-in. 3/15/1928 Lovable Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CVE-43149 12-in. 3/17/1928 Metropolis Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43659 10-in. 4/21/1928 In my bouquet of memories Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43660 10-in. 4/21/1928 I'm afraid of you Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43661 10-in. 4/21/1928 My angel Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43662 10-in. 4/22/1928 My pet Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43663 10-in. 4/22/1928 It was the dawn of love Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43664 10-in. 4/22/1928 Dancing shadows Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43665 10-in. 4/22/1928 Forget-me-not Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43666 10-in. 4/23/1928 Dixie dawn Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43667 10-in. 4/23/1928 Louisiana Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43668 10-in. 4/24/1928 Grieving Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43669 10-in. 4/24/1928 Do I hear you saying (I love you) Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BVE-43670 10-in. 4/25/1928 You took advantage of me Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BS-06546 10-in. 3/26/1937 Shall we dance Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor BS-06547 10-in. 3/26/1937 For you Allan Holt ; Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CS-06557 12-in. 3/28/1937 All points West Bob Lawrence ; Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and talk instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor CS-06558 12-in. 3/28/1937 All points West Bob Lawrence ; Paul Whiteman Concert Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and talk instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor PBS-042546 10-in. 3/3/1940 Frenesi Artie Shaw Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor PBS-042547 10-in. 3/3/1940 Adios, Mariquita linda Artie Shaw Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor PBS-042548 10-in. 3/3/1940 Gloomy Sunday Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Pauline Byrne Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor PBS-042549 10-in. 3/3/1940 My fantasy Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Pauline Byrne Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor PBS-042550 10-in. 3/3/1940 A deserted farm Artie Shaw Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trombone  
Victor PBS-042551 10-in. 3/3/1940 Don't fall asleep Artie Shaw Orchestra ; Pauline Byrne Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, trombone  
OKeh W80391 10-in. 2/4/1927 Trumbology Bix Beiderbecke ; Frankie Trumbauer’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with cornet and guitar instrumentalist, trombone  
OKeh W80392 10-in. 2/4/1927 Clarinet marmalade Bix Beiderbecke ; Frankie Trumbauer’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with cornet and guitar instrumentalist, trombone  
OKeh W80393 10-in. 2/4/1927 Singin' the blues Bix Beiderbecke ; Frankie Trumbauer’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with cornet and guitar instrumentalist, trombone  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Rank, Bill," accessed May 5, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112842.

Rank, Bill. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 5, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112842.

"Rank, Bill." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 5 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112842

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