Search - Artist/Band: Frank Wess

• Name: Frank Wess
• Birthday: 01/04/1922
• Birth Place: Kansas City, MO
• Decades Active: 1950,1960,1970,1980
• Genre: Jazz
• Styles: Bop, Cool, Swing, Progressive Jazz, Mainstream Jazz, Modal Music, Modern Big Band
• Moods: Carefree, Earnest, Elegant, Literate, Sophisticated, Stylish, Wry, Amiable/Good-Natured, Confident, Earthy, Exuberant, Happy, Joyous, Organic, Refined/Mannered, Witty, Atmospheric, Bright, Dramatic, Elaborate, Energetic, Freewheeling, Lively, Passionate, Playful, Precious, Rousing, Searching, Sentimental, Stately, Sweet, Thoughtful, Uplifting, Warm

Title	Release
Wess Point	11/27/2007
Body & Soul	10/19/2005
Dear Mr Basie [Japan]	12/02/2003
Without a Doubt W	10/10/2000
Long Road	09/12/2000
Jazz for Playboys WA	06/15/1994
Going Wess	1993
Tryin' To Make My Blues Turn Green	1993
Entre Nous	11/11/1990
Dear Mr. Basie	11/1989
Frankly Speaking WA	12/1984
Giants of the Tenor Sax: Coleman Hawkins/Frank Wess	1975
Southern Comfort	03/22/1962
The Frank Wess Quartet	05/09/1960
Opus de Blues	1959
Wheelin' and Dealin'	09/20/1957
Jazz Is Busting Out All Over	1957
Trombones & Flute	07/18/1956
Opus in Swing	06/20/1956
North, South, East...Wess WA	03/07/1956
Once Is Not Enough

One of the first major jazz flutists, Frank Wess has also been a top Lester Young-influenced tenorman, 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 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. Since that time, Wess has freelanced in countless settings, playing with Clark Terry's big band, the New York Quartet (with Roland Hanna) during the second half of the 1970s, Dameronia (1981-1985), and Toshiko Akiyoshi's big band, and has also had occasional reunions with Frank Foster. Frank Wess has led sessions for Commodore (1954), Savoy, Prestige, Moodsville, Pablo (with Foster), Progressive, Uptown, Concord, and Town Crier. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide