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Frank Fontaine

Jazz Saxophonist Frank Fontaine releases his first Album, Wisdom Rising (LifeForce Jazz Records) to the acclaim of becoming an iTunes “Rising Stars of Jazz”. The East Los Angeles-born reed man assembles a superior cast of playmates �” John Beasley, Robert Hurst, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, for this live studio recording captured direct to track, with no overdubs. Together they make music informed by the rhythms of Fontaine's Hispanic culture, while also going beyond into adventurous (odd-metered) modern jazz. In the process, Frank evinces a versatility rare among young players; his compositions and interactions with different combinations of group members underscore his collaborative instincts. Since his return to New York, Fontaine has increasingly become one most exciting and increasingly active woodwind artist on the scene in New York and beyond. He is currently a favorite among elite jazz instrumentalists such as Francisco Mela, Ari Hoenig, George Garzone and several of New York’s top Latin Bands such as Larry Harlow and Chembo Corniel. The collaboration with Chembo has most recently produced a Grammy Award Nomination for the album “Things I Wanted To Do”. Frank can frequently be seen with his Organ Trio or Quartet in some of New York's favorite Jazz Venues.

“Wisdom Rising” is the title of Frank Fontaine’s debut recording as a leader, Wisdom is thee most appropriate attribute that we can anoint this young man with. Frank is the Saxophonist of choice for an incredible array of artists - from the masters of the music to the hottest young players of today - and is equally in demand as a Flutist and arranger. Born in East Los Angeles California into a musical family, Frank absorbed a great deal from his father Frank Sr., who is a 10 veteran of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and is closely affiliated with many jazz greats such as Harry “Sweets” Edison, Frank Morgan, Freddie Hubbard and Mercer Ellington. By age 16, he was performing with Harry Sweets Edison, Billy Higgins and Kenny Burrell.

Demonstrating his stylistic diversity, Frank is also featured (on multiple instruments) on recordings by Patti LaBelle, Tyler Perry’s Soundtracks, Gladys Knight, Celia Cruz, Bobby Matos, Anita Baker, Gym Class Heroes and The Latin-Grammy Nominated Charanga Cubana. Currently, while he continues to perform and record with a wide variety of artists, Fontaine leads this dynamic group of veterans all across the globe. Outside of his many touring and recording accomplishments, Frank continues to cultivate his musical prowess at The Manhattan School of Music, a conservatory second to none, in a city second to none.

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Album Review

The Echo Park Project: It's My Turn

Read "It's My Turn" reviewed by Jack Bowers


There is an abundance of salsa and soul (soulful salsa?) on It's My Turn, the sixth recording by conguero Carlo Lopez's Los Angeles-based Echo Park Project. Most of the sunny, light-hearted music was written and arranged by Joe Mannozzi (the one exception is bassist John Belzaguy's “Can't Complain"). “These tunes," Lopez says, “are for listeners and dancers alike." That must be true, as it is hard to keep the feet from moving and toes from tapping as one's ears are ...

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Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

All Levels...... I have maintained relationships with many students through grade school & into College. The MOST important "level" to me is the level of dedication that a student has to the learning process.

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

It's My Turn

Self Produced
2021

buy

Wisdom Rising

Unknown label
2008

buy

All Time Great Hits

Original Jazz Classics
1966

buy

I'm Counting On You

Original Jazz Classics
1965

buy

Sings Like Crazy

Original Jazz Classics
1963

buy

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