Born January 4, 1922 in Kansas City, Missouri, Frank Wess was a jazz saxophonist
and flautist, best known for his time with Count Basie’s band as well as his own
solo recordings. Relocated to Oklahoma, he began classical music training in
high school. He moved to Washington, D.C. at the age of 19 and switched to jazz,
playing in local big bands. Interrupted briefly by World War II, Wess picked up
where he left off when he left the military. He began playing with Billy
Eckstine’s orchestra and attended the Modern School of Music, earning a degree
in flute. He joined Count Basie’s ...