Veteran N.O. Musician Edward Frank Is Dead
Submitted By N.O.V.A.
02-15-1997 Times Picayune


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Edward Frank, a prolific pianist, composer and arranger who was a key figure in
the local rhythm-and-blues and jazz communities for 40 years, died Thursday of
cancer. He was 64.

"He was one of the behind-the-scenes players who maybe didn't get credit for all
he accomplished," said Rounder Records producer Scott Billington, who worked with
Mr. Frank on several projects. "He made things move."

As recently as December, Mr. Frank played traditional jazz on Fridays at the Palm
Court Cafe and Mondays at Preservation Hall.

He contributed to many recent releases as a horn arranger, keyboardist or both,
including Dr. John's "Goin' Back to New Orleans," the Dirty Dozen Brass Band's
"Jelly," Snooks Eaglin's "Soul's Edge," Tommy Ridgley's "Since the Blues Began"
and Chuck Carbo's comeback CDs, "Drawers Trouble" and "The Barber's Blues."

Billington worked with Mr. Frank on "Jelly" and "The Barber's Blues."

"Some people would take three horns, and it would sound small and thin,"
Billington said. "He could take three horns and make them sound like a big band.
He was a master of voicings for horns; he knew the sonics of each instrument."
Billington said he gave Mr. Frank co-producer credit on "The Barber's Blues"
because of his contributions.

Mr. Frank's varied career typified that of many musicians who came of age in the
mid-1950s golden era of New Orleans R&B.

Hailing from a long line of traditional jazz musicians, Mr. Frank was born and
grew up in New Orleans. He attended Booker T. Washington High School and Grambling
College.

He first played violin, then switched to piano in his teens. He lived for a time
near the Dew Drop Inn, a fabled local R&B hot spot, and was a familiar figure at
late-night jams. He was a member of the house band at Cosimo Matassa's J&M
Studios, contributing to hundreds of R&B and rock 'n' roll records produced by
Dave Bartholomew and others.

In 1960, Mr. Frank moved to Houston to work on sessions for the Duke/Peacock
label, recording with Bobby "Blue" Bland, Junior Parker and others. He returned to
New Orleans in 1964 and later led his own jazz band at Masson's Las Vegas Strip on
South Claiborne Avenue. He contributed several cuts to Rounder's "New New Orleans
Music" series in 1988. In recent years he toured abroad with vocalist Lillian
Boutte's band.

Mr. Frank moved easily between musical genres. Although he started out as
primarily an R&B player, he later delved into contemporary and traditional jazz.

"His was a very elegant approach to R&B that made use of his extensive knowledge
of jazz harmony," Billington said.

That Mr. Frank played at all was a testament to his determination. In his mid-20s,
a ruptured blood vessel in his brain partially paralyzed his left arm and hand. He
learned to compensate with his right hand, playing single-hand melodies and bass
notes like a stride player, creating his own distinct style in the process.

"If you listened to him, you never thought he had one hand," said bassist Peter
"Chuck" Badie, a friend who shared the stage with Mr. Frank for decades. "His
chords were so full, it sounded like he was playing with two hands."

"He was such a survivor, and such an inspiration," Billington said. "He never let
anything stop him. When we were in the studio for ('The Barber's Blues'), he was
running around with the enthusiasm of a 20-year-old. He never seemed to lose his
enthusiasm."

Friends said Mr. Frank was an unassuming professional, content to let his work
stand on its own. "He was never a fellow to say, 'I did this, I did that,' " Badie
said.

Survivors include his wife, Dolores S. Frank; five daughters, Eileen Frank-Cohen
of New York, Joan Frank Whalon of Palestine, Texas, Ronalda Frank, Charlene Frank-
Simon and Joyce Frank-Ridgeway; two sisters, Gloria Wise of Houston and Edwina
Frank; a brother, Willis Wise; 19 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Charbonnet-Labat Funeral Home, 1615
St. Philip St. A funeral will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home,
followed by a jazz funeral procession that will march through the French Quarter
on its way to Mount Olivet Cemetery.