Frank Wess

Frank Wellington Wess (January 4, 1922 – October 30, 2013) 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.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 4, 1922 (Kansas City), Died October 30, 2013 (Manhattan)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1947 - 1960

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor saxophone, flute, alto saxophone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Role
Atlantic	1076	10-in.	1953?	Waxin' for Maxie	Van Perry Quintet (Musical group) ; Frank Wess	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	74098		10/3/1947	Don't hesitate too long	Lucky Millinder Orchestra	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	74099		10/3/1947	Tonight he sailed again	Lucky Millinder Orchestra	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	74100		10/3/1947	Bersark boogie (All the time Aff)	Lucky Millinder Orchestra	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	84899		7/23/1953	Blues in lament	Benny (Bennie) Green	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	84900		7/23/1953	Blow your horn	Benny (Bennie) Green	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	84901		7/23/1953	Expense account	Benny (Bennie) Green	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	84902		7/23/1953	Takin' my time	Benny (Bennie) Green	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	101264		1/7/1957	Robbin's nest	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	101265		1/7/1957	Cocktails for two	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	101266		1/7/1957	I never knew	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	101267		1/7/1957	Feather's nest	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	101268		1/8/1957	They can't take that away from me	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	101269		1/8/1957	Between the devil and the deep blue sea	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	101270		1/8/1957	Mean to me	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	101271		1/8/1957	The happy cats	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	101272		1/8/1957	Later for the happenings	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	101273		1/8/1957	Buttercup	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	101274		1/8/1957	Joe's blues	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	101275		1/8/1957	Joe's tune	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	103252		1/8/1957	Joe's blues	Joe Newman Sextet	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute
Decca	108523		1/4/1960	I gotta right to sing the blues	Sammy Davis, Jr.	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	108524		1/4/1960	The lady is a tramp	Sammy Davis, Jr.	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	108525		1/4/1960	I got a woman	Sammy Davis, Jr.	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	108526		1/4/1960	Do nothin' till you hear from me	Sammy Davis, Jr.	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	108527		1/6/1960	Till then	Sammy Davis, Jr.	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	108528		1/6/1960	Get on the right track, baby	Sammy Davis, Jr.	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	108529		1/6/1960	Face to face	Sammy Davis, Jr.	instrumentalist, alto saxophone

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Wess, Frank," accessed November 2, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/210889.

Wess, Frank. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/210889.

"Wess, Frank." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 2 November 2024.