Johnny Frigo was an American jazz violinist, bassist, and composer born on December 27, 1916, on the South Side of Chicago. He first gained recognition as a member of the Soft Winds Trio alongside guitarist Herb Ellis and pianist Lou Carter, with whom he co-wrote several original tunes in the 1940s. Frigo's most celebrated composition is Detour Ahead, written with Lou Carter in 1947, which became a widely covered jazz standard through recordings by Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and others. The tune is featured on AllSolos. He also composed I Told Ya I Love Ya, Now Get Out, a sardonic swing number recorded by June Christy with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, and the novelty piece Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel, the 1969 Chicago Cubs fight song. Beyond his songwriting, Frigo had a long career as a studio musician and jingle composer in Chicago. He died on July 4, 2007, at age 90.
