Frank Socolow

Frank Socolow was an American jazz saxophonist who was born on August 18, 1923 in New York City. He played tenor and alto saxophones and was known for his strong, clear tone and fluid improvisations.

Socolow grew up in a musical family and began playing saxophone in his youth. He studied music at Juilliard and began his professional career in the early 1940s, playing with bands led by Benny Goodman, Charlie Barnet, and Gene Krupa.

In the late 1940s, Socolow became a member of the bebop movement and began playing with musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis. He also recorded with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and led his own groups, recording several albums under his own name.

Socolow's playing was marked by his ability to blend virtuosic technique with a deep sense of swing and blues feeling. He was an influential teacher, and many younger saxophonists, such as Bob Mintzer and Eric Alexander, have cited him as a major influence.

In addition to his career as a performer, Socolow was also a composer and arranger. He wrote several original compositions and arranged music for television and film. He was known for his work on the television show "The Dick Van Dyke Show," for which he wrote the theme and arranged the music.

Socolow continued to perform and record throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He passed away on February 26, 1981, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy as one of the great jazz saxophonists of his generation.

Tags