Frank Wess Interview by Monk Rowe and Michael Woods - 5/29/1995 - Caribbean

Saxophonist Frank Wess reminisces about his years with Count Basie and his use of the flute in jazz. He also offers advice to aspiring jazz players.
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[@gerrycappuccio4186]

Great interview ! I recorded with Frank Wess on the Maria Muldauer album Maria’s Back at Rudy Van Gelder studio & performed with him for Carmen McCrae ! He was an amazing musician !

[@n.larson5994]

Frank Wess, as much as anyone I can think of, was an absolute monster musician. His role in the Basie band, playing alto and tenor in the reed section, was all important to the depth of the sound of that band. Yes, he was a great, great soloist. But he also, as an ensemble player, was singularly about as great an asset as any band could have.
I remember seeing the Toshiko Akiyoshi big band at the Hollywood Bowl In 1990 and marveling at the sound of its reed section.
And it was Frank Wess’ lead alto that was primarily responsible for that sound. His value to any ensemble, particularly a big band reed section, was just so huge!
On the other hand, he doesn’t seem like the easiest interview. You did a fine job getting him to talk. Thanks!

[@filliusjazzarchive]

Thanks for pointing this out, his jazz flute playing overshadows his ensemble skills when journalists write about him. Monk

[@jimbrown1559]

Much wisdom from Mr. Wess. I appreciate his emphasis on the importance of silence and dynamics as an element of music.
I'm a retired live jazz sound engineer who's been seriously listening to jazz since the 7th grade, but I was the exception. Most sound mixers come from the rock/pop world, with little if any jazz sensitivities. By the time I started doing that work I had more than 500 jazz LPs; now I own nearly 5,000 jazz CDs. My best ear training was listening to un-amplified big bands and small groups in clubs, sitting close enough that I was hearing the band, and not the PA. On the several occasions I mixed the Basie band live, my frame of reference was the Roulette studio recordings of the band.

[@reddustdiecastmodelrail1499]

Great video ! Awesome and amazing ! Love it ! thanks for sharing !! M

[@fu2588]

Hard interview man

[@filliusjazzarchive]

Yes, Mr. Wess was not inclined to share too much and had been misquoted or unfairly edited in the past. But what a wonderful musician! Monk

[@LongwingSeagull]

Dr. Billy Taylor said in an interview that the reason he didn`t persue playing tenor saxophone was because of Mr. Wess` playing in the high school break sessions they had together. As for Mr. Wess not seemingly forthcoming here, he did state he had only 4 hours of sleep after performing! Great insights and a thoughtful speaker to me.

[@postatility9703]

A lot of wisdom heard here.