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Frank J. Jackson

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FRANK J. JACKSON, JAZZ PIANIST & VOCALIST

VETERAN - SAN FRANCISCO FILLMORE JAZZ DISTRICT

Frank is highly in demand recording and performing today in clubs, festivals, and concerts from trio to sextet settings, and even as standup male vocalist. In January 2004 Frank debut at Birdland, NYC, as vocalist/singer with James Williams and Mulgrew Miller. Also, Porters, NYC, welcomed Frank back in trio setting, after his November 2003, sold out performance. His own CDs comprise a classic traditional piano-vocals-bass-guitar combo, larger ensembles with several guitars and drums. Frank's latest project, “NEW YORK AFTER DARK,” recorded November 2003 at Systems Two Studios, New York, features him as male vocalist with JAMES WILLIAMS, pianist & producer, RON CARTER, bassist, BILLY PIERCE, tenor & soprano saxophones, and KENNY WASHINGTON, drums/percussion. Look for this CD due for release in 2004 by Kasis Records, LLC.

In 2003, Frank released his long awaited second CD, “SWINGIN' AND ALL DRESSED TO GO,” and also reissued his first CD, “I SHOULD CARE,” both under his own independent record label company, Kasis Records, LLC, which was established with his wife in 2002 to document, promote and support Frank's style of classic jazz. Both CDs have received rave reviews and are considered classic jazz recordings. CDs available at www.cdbaby.com/fjackson and www.frankjacksonjazz.com.

Born in Cleburne, Texas, and living in San Francisco since 1942, Frank Jackson one of the “BAY AREA GIANTS OF JAZZ,” has for over 50 years been serving up his impeccable, elegant piano style, smooth warm vocals and unique phrasing. As a traditional jazz musician and one of the most accomplished interpreters of the Great American Songbook, he is a consummate entertainer, able to fulfill practically any request with his astonishing knowledge of the American Songbook, ranging from the Tin Pan Alley to the theme songs from “Star Trek” and “Being Green.” Looking for obscure standards, you'll find them amongst Frank's impressive repertoire'.

Frank's music is swinging at any tempo. His versatility ranges from uptempo, ballads, blues, latin, and instrumentals. His piano playing recalls the minimalism of Count Basie, the lushness of Duke Ellington, the two-handed melodic sound of Erroll Garner, and sheer virtuosity of Bud Powell. Frank is by no means an imitator. He has formed his own, individual conception of how jazz is to be played. His cheerful personality is contagious, possessing a joy of life that is obvious on the bandstand or off. What has truly earned the respect and admiration of musicians and music lovers alike is Frank's one-of-a-kind interpretations and delicious vocal renderings of the great standards. His vocals == suave, elegant, formidable, and articulate -- are among the most respected in jazz. He has the ability to draw the listener in as though he's telling a story, with such soulful feeling, the listener feels it too.

Frank has performed with numerous internationally famous musicians as well as with some of the finest Bay Area talent. His experience includes recordings, radio & TV appearances, concerts, educational jazz clinics and camps, festivals and club appearances.

Frank Jackson has roots deep in the San Francisco music scene dating back to the heyday of the “MO,” as it was called from the war years in the 1940's until the Fillmore District broke up in the mid-1960's. In the early 1950's, Frank Jackson started his career at Slim Gaillord's “Voute City,” which was opened only for two months, then taken over by John “Jimbo” Edwards and became known as the San Francisco's legendary “JIMBO'S BOP CITY,” an afterhours club open from 2-6AM. Frank Jackson worked as the house pianist at the legendary “BOP CITY” with tenor sax giant, Dexter Gordon, and alto saxophonist, Pony Poindexter. Also during this time, Frank Jackson performed with the jazz ensembe, “The 4 Naturals,” at The International Settlement. Today, you can view Frank Jackson & the Fillmore Jazz scene in a historic photo display at the Fillmore Center on Fillmore Street - San Francisco.

Frank's education in jazz flourished during the years he worked as house pianist at San Francisco's legendary “Bop City.” Musicians travelling up and down the West Coast would drop in at “Bop City” to jam after their gigs or just to see who was in town. Being in the house band, Frank got the chance to associate with practically everyone: Charlie (Bird) Parker, Billie Holiday, Frank Foster, Ben Webster, Ella Fitzgerald, Harold Land, Joe Comfort, Erroll Garner, Art (God) Tatum, Nat “King” Cole, who had a major influence on Frank's career, Chet Baker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, and the list goes on.

Frank has performed or recorded with such jazz luminaries as Lionel Hampton, Gerald Wilson, Dexter Gordon, Teddy Edwards, Cal Tjader, Lester Young, Ben Webster, Slim Gaillord, Brew Moore, Curtis Counce, Teddy Bun, Ruth Brown, Oscar Pettiford, Frank Butler, T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Witherspoon, Ernestine Anderson, Ernie Andrews, Smiley Winters, James Williams, Ron Carter, Billy Pierce, Kenny Washington, Darryl Hall, Mulgrew Miller, Sammy Simpson, Eddie Hammond, Eddie Alley, Vernon Alley, Allen Smith, Frank Fisher, Harold Jones, John Handy, Jules Broussard, Noel Jewkes, Mary Stallings, Denise Perrier, Omar Clay, Jeff Chambers, Bodil Niska, Kim Nalley, and the list goes on.

When in the Bay Area, look for Frank at Jazz at Pearls, Shanghai 1930, Enrico's, Downtown - Berkeley, Kelly's of Alameda, or just look listen to KCSM 91.1FM for Datebook listings and music of Frank Jackson.