Jazz breaking news: Frank Wess dies aged 91

Born in 1922 in Kansas City Missouri, Wess was famed for his brilliant Lester Young-influenced tenor saxophone playing with the Count Basie band in its 'Atomic'-era pomp, but perhaps his biggest contribution to jazz was establishing the flute as an instrument worthy of serious consideration. His flute playing with the Count, Billy Eckstein, Clark Terry and countless others influenced innumerable younger

Classically trained, Wess began his jazz career in his teens. He resumed playing after serving in the US Army during the war, and gained a degree in flute from the Modern School of Music in Washington, DC in 1949. His big break came with Basie in ’53, and from then on he became one of the most sought-after players (and, occasionally, writers) on the big band and sessions circuit. He even played on hit TV shows such as Saturday Night Live and The David Frost Show in the 1960s and 70s.

A modest but multi-skilled musician (he also played clarinet to very high standard) who was revered by his peers, Wess performed right up until a few months ago. The music owes him a huge debt.

– Kevin Whitlock