Bio

Born in west London in the ‘70s, after a spell in Paris as a child Frank grew up back in Shepherds Bush. At the age of 11 he discovered the three jazz records in his parents’ record collection, and his ears were opened. A year later he got his first alto saxophone, and began trying to copy what he could hear on those records, and others acquired from the Record & Tape Exchange shops in Notting Hill Gate. Thanks to encouragement from Andy Jacob, school bassoon teacher who doubled on saxophone, he picked up the rudiments of technique, and further benefited from sessions with George Adie and later Matt Wates.

While still at school he began performing with pianist Simon Mulligan - a musical association that endures to this day - and continued playing and gigging through academic studies at Cambridge University.

On graduating he began a professional career that includes credits with The Feeling, Madness, Martha Reeves, Dave Stewart, Busted, Keane, Edwin Starr, Russell Watson, Disclosure, Thee Sacred Souls, Joe Stilgoe, Skip The Use, the Haggis Horns, Joy Crookes, Pete Tong & the Heritage Orchestra, Elio Pace, the Filthy Six, Simon Mulligan, Crazy P, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Hackney Colliery Band, JTQ, Jay Buchanan (Rival Sons), Valerie June, Helene Fischer, Fleur East, Giovanni Zarella, Freya Ridings, the London Dance Orchestra and others, as well as West End theatre stints in Dancing in the Streets and Jersey Boys.

In 2007 he joined Amy Winehouse’s band and stayed with her for the remainder of her career. This led to joining Mark Ronson’s band for his ‘Version’ tour. He then went on to spend a decade as sax player for the great Tom Jones.

As father to two young children, Frank currently spends a little less time on the road, but continues to tour with Elio Pace’s Billy Joel Songbook and the Amy Winehouse Band.

‘Objets Trouvés’ is Frank’s first release as leader, and features a rhythm section of James Fenn (guitar), Andrew Noble (piano), Phil Donnelly (bass) and Darren Beckett (drums).