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Frank Wess
Born:
Frank Wess (born January 4, 1922 in Kansas City) is an American jazz musician, who has played saxophone (both alto and tenor) and flute.
He began with classical music and played in Oklahoma. He later switched to jazz on moving to Washington, D. C. and by nineteen was working in the Big Bands. His career would be interrupted during World War II although he did play with a military band in the period. On returning from service he joined Billy Eckstine's orchestra.
He returned to DC a few years after this and received a degree in flute at the city's Modern School Of Music. From 1953 he joined Count Basie's band, playing flute and tenor sax. He reverted to alto sax in the late '50s, and left Basie's band in 1964. From 1959 to 1964 he won Down Beat's critic poll for flute. Since then he has done a variety of TV shows and telethons. He was a member of Clark Terry's big band from 1967 into the '70s and played in the New York Quartet (with Roland Hanna). In the '80s and '90s, he worked with Kenny Barron, Rufus Reid, Buck Clayton, Benny Carter, Billy Taylor, Harry Edison, Mel Tormé, Ernestine Anderson, Louie Bellson, John Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Dick Hyman, Byron Stripling, Jane Jarvis, Frank Vignola and was a featured member of the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra.
Resistance! Music for these times from Ivanna Cuesta with Kris Davis, Jason Kao Huang, Caroline Davis and Robert Glasper
by Hobart Taylor
Music that's brave and beautiful from Caroline Davis, Jason Kao Hwang, Robert Glasper and introducing Ivanna Cuesta!Playlist Jason Kao Hwang “Spin Fast and Burn" from Myths of Origin (True Sound Recordings) 00:00 Caroline Davis “synchronize my body where my mind has always been" from Alula Captivity (Ropeadope) 3:20 Caroline Davis Nicole Mitchell Nappy Nina ...
Backgrounder: Frank Wess - Trombones + Flute (1956)
In July 1956, during a brief summer break by the Count Basie band, the trombone section went into Rudy Van Gelder's Hackensack, N.J., studio and, with the addition of trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, recorded five pieces. Two were composed by Basie tenor saxophonist Frank Foster, who arranged by all five. What made the session for Savoy special ...
Dorothy Ashby: Afro-Harping Deluxe Edition
by Chris May
There are certain instruments that struggled for attention in the years when the jazz ecology was an overwhelmingly male preserve--or rather, when many men perceived jazz to be a male preserve, and a heterosexual, alpha male one at that. Exhibit A, the flute, was described by one leading male alto saxophonist, a near contemporary of Charlie ...
Jimmy Rowles
by Carol Sloane
Part 1 I had just finished my night's work at a long-since vanished jazz club in Greenwich Village called Hopper's. I was singing with The New York Jazz Quartet: Sir Roland Hanna, George Mraz, Richie Pratt, and Frank Wess. The year was 1977. Mraz said he was going to walk over to Bradley's* to listen to ...
Paula West and the Art of Making Art
by Mathew Bahl
Jazz singing is like a horse race. To the casual eye, all the horses in the stall look the same. But they aren't. Some have more talent. Some are better trained. Some have better jockeys. Some are more exciting to watch. But no matter what we see or don't see, what the odds might be, or ...
Dorothy Ashby: With Strings Attached, 1957-1965
by John Chacona
Imagine if Sidney Bechet, Charlie Christian and Jimmy Smith were barely remembered and recordings of their music were long unavailable and known only on the geekiest corners of Discogs. That is essentially the status of harpist Dorothy Ashby. Like the three figures cited above, Ashby essentially created a language for her chosen instrument, the harp, where ...
Dorothy Ashby: With Strings Attached, 1957-1965
by Angelo Leonardi
Questo lussuoso cofanetto di sei LP in edizione limitata dedicato all'arpista Dorothy Ashby è un importante contributo che colma l'attuale vuoto di registrazioni e rende giustizia a un'artista tanto importante quanto dimenticata. Non troverete il suo nome sulle massime storie ed enciclopedie del jazz, e la sua morte prematura dell'aprile 1986 (aveva 55 anni) fu data ...
Wondering: Harvie S and Roni Ben-Hur featuring Sylvia Cuenca
by Dan Bilawsky
Though it may seem to be shrouded in mystery, there's a clear explanation for the dovetailing dynamic and palpable chemistry between guitarist Roni Ben-Hur and bassist Harvie S. “We listen intently and we play with a lot of generosity toward each other," shares the noted six-stringer. Believe it or not, it's as simple--and sophisticated--as that.
2022: The Year in Jazz
by Ken Franckling
Current events impacted the jazz world in significant ways throughout 2022. In its third year, the coronavirus pandemic continued to lurk in some settings, while others recovered in robust fashion. Russia's war on Ukraine was felt by musicians and triggered an outpouring of support for its victims. Initiatives to ensure greater equity in jazz advanced. The ...
