Frank Wess
One of the first major jazz flutists, Frank Wess was also a top Lester Young-influenced tenor man, an expert first altoist, and an occasional composer/arranger -- certainly a valuable man to have around. Early on he toured with Blanche Calloway, served in the military, and had stints with the Billy Eckstine Orchestra (1946), Eddie Heywood, Lucky Millinder, and R&B star Bull Moose Jackson. That was all just a prelude to Wess' important period with Count Basie's big band, from 1953-1964. His flute playing, so expertly utilized in Neal Hefti's arrangements, gave the Basie Orchestra a fresh new sound, and his cool-toned tenor contrasted well with the more passionate sound of fellow tenor Frank Foster; Wess also had opportunities to play alto with the classic big band. Wess subsequently freelanced in countless settings, playing with Clark Terry's big band, the New York Jazz Quartet (with Roland Hanna) during the second half of the 1970s, Dameronia (1981-1985), and Toshiko Akiyoshi's big band, and also had occasional reunions with Frank Foster. Frank Wess led sessions for Commodore (1954), Savoy, Prestige, Moodsville, Pablo (with Foster), Progressive, Uptown, Concord, and Town Crier. He died of a heart attack at the age of 91 in Manhattan on October 30, 2013.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
Discography
16 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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In A Minor Groove (Japanese Edition)
Jazz - Released by Prestige on Jan 1, 1958
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wheelin' And Dealin' (Reissue 2006 / Remastered 1991)
Jazz - Released by Prestige on Jan 1, 1958
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hank and Frank
Ilya Lushtak, Frank Wess, Hank Jones
Jazz - Released by Lineage on May 1, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz For Playboys
Kenny Burrell, Joe Newman, Freddie Green, Frank Wess
Jazz - Released by Savoy on Jan 1, 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Flute Mastery of Frank Wess
Jazz - Released by Progressive on Oct 9, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Opus de Blues
Jazz - Released by Stardust Records on Nov 1, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tenor Sax & Flute Essentials
Bebop - Released by Vintage Masters Inc. on Jun 1, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Going Wess
Jazz - Released by Town Crier Recordings on Jan 1, 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Frank Wess meets the Paris-Barcelona swing connection
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on Jan 1, 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hail to the Chief! Butch Miles Salutes Count Basie
Jazz - Released by Progressive on Feb 29, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In High Profile
Bebop - Released by Squatty Roo Records on Oct 7, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Whatever You Want
Jazz - Released by nagel heyer records on Jun 14, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo