Jazz Articles

Frank Wess: Once is Not Enough

by Chris M. Slawecki
September 3, 2009

Dominated by the sound of swinging, good-time blues, Once Is Not Enough indisputably plants NEA Jazz Master Wess in the tradition of Count Basie, in whose Count Basie Orchestra Wess played flute, alto, and tenor saxophones for more than a decade.

This set jumps from the very start: Wess' tenor on his opening, title track sounds neither heavy or deep, but still bounces and strolls like a sharp Saturday night player. His minor blues “Sara's Song" exemplifies the ...

Frank Wess Nonet: Once Is Not Enough

by Edward Blanco
July 24, 2009

Known affectionately as “Magic" to his professional colleagues, saxophonist/flautist Frank Wess is a living legend in the jazz world. His résumé includes stints with Billy Eckstine, the Clark Terry Big Band and a decade performing with the Count Basie Orchestra, and he is recognized as one of the first major flautists to have an impact on the music. Once Is Not Enough is an audacious recording that follows his most recent collaboration with Hank Jones on Hank and Frank II ...

Frank Wess Nonet: Once Is Not Enough

by Woodrow Wilkins
April 23, 2009

In the musical numbers game, trios and quartets are a dime a dozen, with occasional duos and quintets. Anything larger than the latter is usually presented as a group, big band or orchestra, if anything at all, with Frank Wess Nonet defying that model.Wess is an NEA American Jazz Master, and a veteran of the Count Basie Orchestra. For Once Is Not Enough, Wess leads an ensemble of nine musicians.The title song is a lively, swinging ...