Frank Wess facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Wess
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Frank Wess (left) and Jimmy Owens, 1977
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Frank Wellington Wess |
| Born | January 4, 1922 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | October 30, 2013 (aged 91) New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Saxophone, flute |
| Years active | 1950s – 2013 |
| Labels | Commodore, Savoy, Pablo, Progressive, Concord |
Frank Wellington Wess (born January 4, 1922 – died October 30, 2013) was an amazing American jazz musician. He played both the saxophone and the flute. People especially remember him for his time with Count Basie's famous band in the 1950s and 1960s. He was known as one of the best jazz flutists of his time, adding cool new sounds to Basie's music.
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Frank Wess's Early Life and Music Journey
Frank Wess was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States. His dad was a school principal, and his mom was a teacher. He started learning classical music first. In high school, he played music in Oklahoma.
Later, he moved to Washington, D.C. and switched to playing jazz. By the time he was 19, he was already playing with big bands. His music career paused for a bit during World War II. But even then, he played in a military band.
After the war, he joined Billy Eckstine's orchestra. A few years later, he went back to Washington, D.C. There, he earned a degree in flute from the Modern School of Music.
Joining Count Basie's Band
From 1953 to 1964, Frank Wess played tenor sax with Count Basie. He also played the flute in the band. He was considered one of the best jazz flutists of his time. From 1959 to 1964, he won the Down Beat magazine critics' poll for flute. This was a big award!
Later Career and Achievements
After his time with Count Basie, Frank Wess continued to play with many other great musicians. In the late 1960s and 1970s, he was part of Clark Terry's big band. He also played in the New York Jazz Quartet. He even did music for TV shows!
In the 1980s and 1990s, he worked with many famous jazz artists. Some of these included Kenny Barron, Benny Carter, and Mel Tormé. He was also a main member of the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra. In the 2000s, Wess released two albums with pianist Hank Jones.
In 2007, Frank Wess was honored as an NEA Jazz Master. This is a very special award from the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts. It celebrates jazz musicians who have made huge contributions to the art form.
Frank Wess passed away on October 30, 2013, from a heart attack. He left behind a wonderful legacy of jazz music.
Frank Wess's Music
Frank Wess released many albums as a band leader. Some of his well-known albums include Flutes & Reeds, Opus in Swing, and The Frank Wess Quartet. He also played on many albums as a sideman, meaning he played with other artists. He contributed to recordings by Milt Jackson, Elvin Jones, Quincy Jones, and many more. His music is still enjoyed by jazz fans today.
