Home » Jazz Musicians » Frank Macchia

Frank Macchia

Born and raised in San Francisco, CA., Frank started on the clarinet at the age of ten years old. Soon afterward he began studies on bassoon, saxophone and flute. By the age of fourteen he began studying composition, writing jazz and classical pieces for his high school band and orchestra and for jazz ensembles that rehearsed at the local union hall, including trumpeter Mike Vax's Big Band.

In 1975-76 Frank wrote jazz/classical hybrid works that were performed by the San Francisco Symphony and local professional jazz musicians at the Summer Music Workshop Programs, and he composed and conducted an orchestral overture for his high school graduation ceremony. During this time period he also performed and arranged music for contemporary dance bands in the Bay Area.

In 1976 Frank attended Berklee College of Music, studying woodwinds with Joseph Viola, Joe Allard, Steve Grossman and composition/arranging with Herb Pomeroy, Phil Wilson, Greg Hopkins, Tony Texiera, and Ken Pullig. From 1976-80 he performed and composed for the top student ensembles as well as performing with his own ensembles. He received a National Endowment Grant for the Arts to compose a 90 minute continuous jazz/ classical suite for large ensemble. He also won Down Beat magazine's DB award for original big band composition in 1979.

After graduating with a degree in traditional composition, Frank taught at Berklee at the tender age of 20, as well as performed throughout the New England area with his 8-piece fusion group, 'Booga-Booga'. In 1981 Frank moved back to the San Francisco area where he continued working as a musician and composer/arranger over the next ten years, performing concerts with such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Rita Moreno, Tony Bennett, Jack Jones, Clare Fischer, Chuck Mangione, and the Temptations, to name a few. He performed with local groups such as The Bay Area Jazz Composers Orchestra, Mike Vax's Great American Jazz Band, Royal Street, the Dick Bright Orchestra and the Melotones. He also led his own original groups, including The Gleets, Desperate Character and The Frankie Maximum Band. In 1989 he recorded Introducing Frankie Maximum, an eclectic CD that showcased original material in a variety of styles, from new wave to polka. He followed that with the CD Frankie Maximum Goes Way-er Out West, a wild romp through traditional cowboy folksongs, done with new treatments (Ringo as a hip-hop jazz tune!?). This 1991 album received much critical praise including being named one of the top ten albums of the year by the Oakland Tribune

Read more

Tags

4
Album Review

Frank Macchia: Bluezapalooza

Read "Bluezapalooza" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Frank Macchia has recorded some serious sounds in his day. Landscapes (Cacophony, 2008), for instance, with The Prague Orchestra, was a sweeping masterpiece of an album which should have won him some sort of Aaron Copland Award (It was nominated for a Grammy). But the reedist-composer-arranger also has a fun side, with albums like 2012's Swamp Thang (Cacophony), which offered up a set of grungy bayou boogies, blues, funk and New Orleans second line, all in an instrumental setting.

5
Album Review

Frank Macchia: Songs For Tracy

Read "Songs For Tracy" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Grammy-nominated, multi-woodwind instrumentalist-composer Frank Macchia was in an isolationist, COVID-19 state of mind when he came up with the blueprint for Songs For Tracy. Dog-walking during the quarantine time did the trick. He would, in these sojourns, write down ideas about his emotions and thoughts. The next step was writing the music for these lyrics. Recording involved (almost) an orchestra of one—Frank Macchia overdubbing a swirling sea of woodwinds and keyboard textures, with Brock Avery on drums and ...

9
Album Review

Frank Macchia / Brock Avery: Rhythm Abstraction: Ruby

Read "Rhythm Abstraction: Ruby" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Multi-instrumentalist Frank Macchia released his full length CD Rhythm Kaleidoscope (Cacophany Records) in 2018. The compositions were created over a foundation of Brock Avery's multi-layered improvised drum and percussion solos, with Macchia orchestrating a sea of woodwinds and synthesizer sounds, some brass and some prepared piano samples, resulting in a lush and feisty twenty-first century jazz-classical-fusion hybrid of the highest order. This mode of operation apparently caught his fancy. He follows up in 2020 with a three EP set--released between ...

4
Album Review

Frank Macchia / Brock Avery: Rhythm Abstraction: Gold

Read "Rhythm Abstraction: Gold" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Muli-reedist Frank Macchia and percussionist Brock Avery started 2020 with their release of Rhythm Abstraction: Azure (Cacophony), a follow-up to 2018's Rhythm Kaleidoscope (Cacophony), employing its predecessor's approach. Here's how it works. Avery lays down an improvised percussion foundation. Then Macchia steps in with just about every imaginable reed instrument to construct an elaborate orchestration—one step, one saxophone (or flute, or clarinet, or ocarina) at a time. Liken it to Avery serving as a baker, sculpting a cake, then calling ...

5
Album Review

Frank Macchia & Brock Avery: Rhythm Abstraction: Azure

Read "Rhythm Abstraction: Azure" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Reedman-arranger-composer Frank Macchia didn't take the conventional route in putting his EP Rhythm Abstractions: Azure together. He didn't get a huge orchestra in one studio, pass out the charts and explain to the players what he was trying to do. What he did was pare the personnel down to a minimum and turn drummer Brock Avery loose for some serious improvisation time. Then Machia layered in a whole bunch of reeds—piccolo, flutes (alto,bass, contrabass), clarinets (alto, bass contrabass), saxophones (sopranino, ...

4
Album Review

Frank Macchia: Rhythm Kaleidoscope

Read "Rhythm Kaleidoscope" reviewed by Troy Dostert


With a host of wide-ranging work not only as a musician but also as a producer and arranger for television and film projects, Frank Macchia has never been one to rest on his laurels. Even if you're not familiar with his recordings, chances are you've heard at least one of his many film orchestrations: from The Cable Guy to Mission Impossible III to Muppets Most Wanted, Macchia's resume covers virtually every movie genre imaginable. And his own recording projects have ...

3
Album Review

Frank Macchia: Grease Mechanix

Read "Grease Mechanix" reviewed by Jack Bowers


One thing that must be said about Frank Macchia (well, two things, actually)--he's a wild and crazy composer / bandleader whose satchel is always overflowing with splendid musical surprises. On his new album, Grease Mechanix, Macchia goes funky in a New Orleans brass band manner, employing a seventeen-piece ensemble comprised of some of the best sidemen the Los Angeles area has to offer to design such instant jazz classics as “Zombies Ate My Grandma," “Chicken Neck," “I'm So Damn Mad!," ...

Read more articles
72

Recording

Frank Macchia's Booga Booga Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Frank Macchia's Booga Booga Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Source: Frank Macchia

Jazz composer/arranger/saxophonist Frank Macchia celebrates the 30th anniversary of his first album project “Frank Macchia's Booga-Booga" by offering the music from the original album from 1981 for the first time as a digital download, available for sale at CDBaby, iTunes and Amazon.com. This band was comprised of some of Boston's best young musicians from 1981, including Frank on saxophones, flutes, and clarinets, Mike Peipman on trumpet and flugelhorn, Rob Waterfield on trumpet and flugelhorn, Rick Walsh on trombone, Michael Hatfield ...

168

Recording

Frank Macchia Grammy Nominated For Third Time and New CD!

Frank Macchia Grammy Nominated For Third Time and New CD!

Source: Frank Macchia

Grammy nominated Composer/arranger Frank Macchia has received his third nomination for a Grammy for his interpretation of the classic American folk song “Skip To My Lou," in the Best Instrumental Arrangement category. The song is from his recent jazz CD Folk Songs for Jazzers, where he reinterprets traditional American folk songs. He also is releasing a follow up to that CD, SON of Folk Songs for Jazzers, which features a top-notch cast of Los Angeles jazz musicians, including Peter Erskine, ...

145

Performance / Tour

Frank Macchia: Folk Songs for Jazzers Band Show! July 5th!

Frank Macchia: Folk Songs for Jazzers Band Show! July 5th!

Source: SoCal Creative Music

Here is a stellar band line-up that the multi-grammy nominated, reedsman Frank Macchia has put together. A who's who of LA Jazzers. Not to be missed!

From Frank Macchia:

I just wanted to let you all know that my Folk Songs for Jazzers Band will be playing a one night only rare performance at Vitello's Jazz and Supper Club in Studio City on Monday, July 5th. This is the holiday for Independence Day, so come on by and celebrate America's ...

221

Contest

Enter the "Frank Macchia - Folk Songs for Jazzers" Giveaway Contest

Enter the "Frank Macchia - Folk Songs for Jazzers" Giveaway Contest

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the “Frank Macchia - Folk Songs for Jazzers“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on February 17th. Click here to enter the contest

(Following Frank Macchia at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)

Good luck!

About Frank Macchia and Folk Songs for Jazzers Grammy nominated composer/arranger Frank Macchia has reinterpreted traditional American folk songs and used his crazed imagination to create ...

458

Recording

Frank Macchia Releases "Folk Songs for Jazzers" - Download Five Free MP3s!

Frank Macchia Releases "Folk Songs for Jazzers" - Download Five Free MP3s!

Source: Michael Ricci

Now Available - Folk Songs for Jazzers, Frank Macchia's latest CD is a 13 piece band that wails on Frank's original arrangements of classic Folk Songs Gone Wild!

CD Release Party at Vitello's Jazz Club on Jan. 11, 2010!

Frank and the whole band will be doing a very special one night only show at Vitello's Jazz & Supper Club in Studio City, CA on January 11, 2010 for the release of his new CD Folk Songs for Jazzers. The ...

192

Award / Grant

Frank Macchia's "Landscapes" Nominated for 51st Grammy Awards

Frank Macchia's "Landscapes" Nominated for 51st Grammy Awards

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Frank Macchia's Landscapes received a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Instrumental Arrangement for his original interpretation of the classic song “Down In The Valley." It's Macchia's second consecutive nomination; last year he was nominated for the song “Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair." Listen to “Down In The Valley" in its entirety at frankmacchia.net. Macchia's current CD Saxolollapalooza features Eric Marienthal, Bob Sheppard, Sal Lozano, Gene Cipriano, Jay Mason and Frank on saxophones. Landscapes and ...

159

Recording

Frank Macchia Releases New CD "Saxolollapalooza"

Frank Macchia Releases New CD "Saxolollapalooza"

Source: All About Jazz

SAXOLOLLAPALOOZA = MASSIVE SAXOPHONES!!

What do you get when you cross six of Los Angeles best jazz saxophonists, the drummer from the legendary band Weather Report and Grammy nominated composer/arranger Frank Macchia? Saxolollapalooza, of course!

The CD features Eric Marienthal, Bob Sheppard, Gene Cipriano, Sal Lozano, Frank Macchia and Jay Mason on saxes and woodwinds, with drummer extraordinaire Peter Erskine supplying the fluid grooves. Macchia arranged and produced the material, which is an eclectic mix of New Orleans second line ...

151

Recording

Frank Macchia Releases "Landscapes" with Prague Orchestra

Frank Macchia Releases "Landscapes" with Prague Orchestra

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

CACOPHONY RELEASES LANDSCAPES, NEW CD BY GRAMMY NOMINATED COMPOSER/ARRANGER/SAXOPHONIST FRANK MACCHIA

Featuring Macchia with the Prague Orchestra in a Sonic Jazz Journey

Cacophony, Inc. announces the January 15 release of Landscapes, Grammy-nominated composer/ arranger/saxophonist Frank Macchia's sonic travelogue around the world. Featuring orchestral jazz with saxophone improvisations, the music on the CD is composed and arranged by Frank Macchia and performed by the Prague Orchestra and conducted by Adam Klemens.

The CD focuses on an original six-movement suite for orchestra ...

119

Award / Grant

Frank Macchia Receives Grammy Nomination

Frank Macchia Receives Grammy Nomination

Source: All About Jazz


DownBeat
Review by Michael Jackson
March, 2013

This is the sophomore outing for California saxophonist Frank Macchia's Swamp Thang sextet, and artist Guy Vasilovich has created another terrifying cover painting, satisfying Macchia's macabre sense of humor (he produced a series of audio horror stories titled "Little Evil Things" back in the late '90s). "Thumpety Thump Thump" is a terror that awaits many of us since it refers to a heart complaint brought on by indulgent eating, as Macchia half apologetically recounts from personal experience. It fits the gumbo theme of New Orleans with funk and second line fl avors ostensible on "Zig Zag" (a nod to Zigaboo Modeliste?), a slow cooked feature for guitarist Ken Rosser, and "Jiggle Wiggle," which boasts more whipcrack playing from drummer Frank Briggs. Macchia has scored signifi cant fi lm music, is clearly idiomatically eclectic and has plenty of pull with crack L.A. studio musicians. He borrows Bo Diddley's patent riff, taking it into the fourth dimension à la Eddie Harris with quartal harmony on "Diddley Vs Spock." "Groovin' For Daze" kicks off with Steve Cropper-like guitar licks exhuming the heyday of the Memphis Stax sound, Rosser nicely borrowing elements of Macchia's solo for the beginning of his own. "Shimmy Go-Bop" is in 15/8 and has some effective counterpoint in the arrangement before the unison fi nale. The lugubrious bass intro to "Red Light" suggests a damp brothel on Hamburg's Reeperbahn, but then the tune kicks into an easy lilt recalling Joe Zawinul's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy." "Falling Off The Wagon" has more urgency with Macchia pumping baritone riffs against the horn line and James Brown styled background chank heralding another Rosser shred. The enterprising leader overdubs fl utes on "Walkin' The Hog" while John Rosenberg fl ips to clavinet. The dense funk of "Three Leg Pony" regurgitates phrases, Macchia continually spicing the pot.

Read more

Primary Instrument

Composer / conductor

Location

Los Angeles

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Professor at Berklee College of Music 1980-1981- taught arranging and harmony Will teach arranging, composition, orchestration @ $100 per hour lesson in Los Angeles Area - private instruction focused on students' needs and desires. Analysis of Duke Ellington, Gil Evans, Thad Jones, as well as Stravinsky, Bartok, orchestration techniques.

Michael Brecker
saxophone, tenor
Don Ellis
trumpet
Gil Evans
composer / conductor
Thad Jones
trumpet
Pat Metheny
guitar
Chris Potter
saxophone
Frank Zappa
guitar, electric

Photos

Music

Echopraxia

From: Rhythm Abstraction: Azure
By Frank Macchia

Piglets Bouncing On A Trampoline

From: Rhythm Kaleidoscope
By Frank Macchia

I'm So Damn Mad!

From: Grease Mechanix
By Frank Macchia

Discombobulated

From: Frank Macchia's Swamp Thang
By Frank Macchia

I've Been Working on the Railroad

From: Folk Songs For Jazzers
By Frank Macchia

Air Mail Special

From: Saxolollapalooza
By Frank Macchia

Way Down Yonder In New Orleans

From: Landscapes
By Frank Macchia

Videos

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.