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American saxophonist, flutist, composer and arranger (1922–2013) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frank Wellington Wess (January 4, 1922 – October 30, 2013)[1] was an American jazz saxophonist and flutist. In addition to his extensive solo work, Wess is remembered for his time in Count Basie's band from the early 1950s into the 1960s. Critic Scott Yanow described him as one of the premier proteges of Lester Young, and a leading jazz flutist of his era—using the latter instrument to bring new colors to Basie's music.[2]
Frank Wess | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Frank Wellington Wess |
Born | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | January 4, 1922
Died | October 30, 2013 91) New York, U.S. | (aged
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Saxophone, flute |
Years active | 1950s – 2013 |
Labels | Commodore, Savoy, Pablo, Progressive, Concord |
Wess was born in Kansas City, Missouri, United States,[3] the son of a principal father and a schoolteacher mother. He began with classical music training and played in Oklahoma in high school. He later switched to jazz on moving to Washington, D.C., and by nineteen was working with big bands.[3] His career was interrupted by World War II although he did play with a military band in the period. After leaving the military, he joined Billy Eckstine's orchestra.[4] He returned to Washington, D.C., a few years afterwards and received a degree in flute at the city's Modern School of Music. He played tenor sax with Count Basie from 1953 to 1964, doubling on flute.[3]
Wess 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.
He was a member of Clark Terry's big band from 1967 into the 1970s and played in the New York Jazz Quartet (with Roland Hanna).[5] He also did a variety of work for TV.[6] In 1968 he contributed to the album The Jazz Composer's Orchestra. He played tenor and alto sax, doubling on flute throughout his career.
In the 1980s and 1990s, 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, Jane Jarvis, Frank Vignola and was a featured member of the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra. In the 2000s, Wess released two albums with pianist Hank Jones. In 2007, Wess was named an NEA Jazz Master by the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts.
Wess died from a heart attack related to kidney failure on October 30, 2013.[7][1]
With the New York Jazz Quartet
With Toshiko Akiyoshi
With Manny Albam
With Lorez Alexandria
With Gene Ammons
With Dorothy Ashby
With Count Basie
With Benny Carter
With Ron Carter
With Kenny Clarke
With Hank Crawford
With Dameronia
With Charles Earland
With Harry Edison
With Frank Foster
With Gene Harris
With Johnny Hartman
With Coleman Hawkins
With Johnny Hodges
With Bobby Hutcherson
With Milt Jackson
With J. J. Johnson
With Elvin Jones
With Etta Jones
With Quincy Jones
With Thad Jones
With Dick Katz
With Yusef Lateef
With Junior Mance
With Arif Mardin
With Les McCann
With Jimmy McGriff
With Charles McPherson
With Helen Merrill
With Oliver Nelson
With David Newman
With Joe Newman
With Chico O'Farrill
With Houston Person
With Buddy Rich
With A. K. Salim
With Woody Shaw
With Zoot Sims
With Melvin Sparks
With Leon Spencer
With Dakota Staton
With Billy Taylor
With Earl Washington
With Charles Williams
With Gerald Wilson
With Lem Winchester
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