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Frank Hewitt
Frank Hewitt was a fixture on the New York jazz scene since the mid-fifties. Over the years he played regularly with Cecil Payne, Howard McGhee, Charles Davis, and the late saxophone legend Clarence “C” Sharpe. He was the featured artist at Smalls for over eight years until his passing on September 5th, 2002 at age 66.
He appeared in the Living Theater's landmark production of “The Connection,” and played with Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, John Coltrane, among a long list of notables. Musicians acknowledge him as a master, and the most under-recognized bebop pianist of his generation. His influences were Elmo Hope, Bud Powell, and Thelonious Monk. At Smalls, he influenced a generation of contemporary artists, and pianists from around the world came to hear him.
His few recordings are sought-after collector's items among musicians in New York. After his death, however, his trio recordings began to surface on Smalls Records: “We Loved You,” “Not Afraid to Live,” “Fresh from the Cooler,” and “Out of the Clear Black Sky,” and the quintet date “Four Hundred Saturdays.”
Album Reviews
- Out of the Clear Black Sky by Jay Deshpande
- Fresh from the Cooler by Christopher Shoe
- Four Hundred Saturdays by Eric J. Iannelli
- Four Hundred Saturdays by Jim Santella
- Not Afraid to Live by Eric J. Iannelli
Multiple Reviews
Read more articlesMay 25, 2007
Frank Hewitt's Entire Smalls Records Catalog Available at the AAJ...
November 29, 2005
Frank Hewitt's Jazz CD up for 48th Annual Grammy Awards
September 09, 2002
Noted NY Pianist Frank Hewitt Passes
September 08, 2002
Pianist Frank Hewitt Passes Sept. 5, 2002
August 27, 2002
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Discography
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Last Updated: October 24, 2013
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