Frank Morgan

Bobby G · Jan 29, 2007

Lovely jazz alto player, nimble-fingered with a beautiful tone and a nice flow to his playing, theJazz have been playing a few of his tunes recently, recorded with, among others, Cedar Walton and Ray Brown. Having had a look around, several CD's are available, but the unusual thing about Frank's career is the 30-year gap between recordings, up until the mid-80's.

Cheers, Bob

Bobby G · Feb 1, 2007

I've done a bit of digging, apparently Frank was a protege of Charlie Parker, having met him and realised saxophone was the way to go at about age 7 - Bird encouraged him to play clarinet initially, to get his embouchure in order.

Frank released an album as leader in about 1955, then spent the next 30 years in and out of jail due to an ongoing drugs problem, but managing to do the 'jailhouse jazz' while inside. How you come back from that to restart your playing career must be difficult, but he's been making regular recordings since the mid-80's, and even a stroke in the early 90's hasn't stopped him. What I've heard has, I think, all been from the same album that he made with Cedar Walton and Ray Brown, among others, and has a fairly strong boppish approach but sounds very fresh and alive. He's touring some in the coming year, and will be in Europe around November, hopefully stopping off in the UK.

Cheers, Bob

spike · Feb 1, 2007

There's another Album from the same time on the same label called "Bop" which I prefer to the one you're talking about. His tone and style in later years was amazing, really clean and perfectly played lines. It's a while since I've heard "Bop" - must put it on my list to get. Watch out for it, it's a gem. - gruss - spike

Throckmorten · Feb 2, 2007

I remember the first CD he release after his release (dang, ' couldn't avoid that ...) "Mood Indigo" in 1990.

Playing from the heart. It is almost painful to listen to.

Mostly ballads and some duets with piano man George Cables.

Bobby G · Feb 2, 2007

Quite a few of his post-release releases seem to be with George Cables on piano. I've seen a discography, but don't know how readily available the albums are.

Cheers, Bob

Bobby G · Feb 6, 2007

One of my Doreen's favourite songs is 'Skylark', particularly the version my Maxine Sullivan. Earlier this evening, I heard Frank Morgan's instrumental version. Taken at a fairly stately pace, Frank doesn't stray too far from the melody, preferring to embellish rather than extemporise. It is a beautiful thing to hear his heartfelt and plaintive alto floating above understated accompaniment. Gorgeous.

Cheers, Bob

spike · Feb 7, 2007

I checked that "other" Telmark album out when I read your thread, and immediately downloaded the Skylark track, it's really great, I sometimes think he's going to fall off the notes, some of them have a kind of teetering quality or as you say "heartfelt and plaintive". Gorgeous says it all.

gruss - spike