Frank Catalano
Encyclopedia
Frank Catalano is an American jazz musician living in Chicago, Illinois.
at age 7. His right middle finger was severed while working on a car engine when he was 16, but following reconstructive surgery, Catalano forced his hands to relearn technique, skill and artistry. He toured with Santana
at 18, then signed with Delmark Records
to record his first solo album, Cut it Out with trumpeter Ira Sullivan
at 19. Catalano holds a degree in classical composition from DePaul University
.
While recording with Ministry
in 1999, Catalano was inspired by the band's use of sampling and engineered a unique sampling keyboard attachment for the saxophone. His device was patented on Dec. 11, 2001, coincidentally on the two-year anniversary of his mentor Charles Earland
's death.
Catalano's performances both live and recorded are electric. His Delmark solo albums include You Talkin to Me?!, which features a tandem tenor session with Von Freeman
, and Live at The Green Mill with Randy Brecker
on trumpet. Over the past ten years he also has worked with Louie Bellson
, Tito Puente
, David Sanborn
, Betty Carter
, John Medeski
and DJ Logic
.
Catalano, a Chicago native, volunteers for the Off the Street Club, where he runs the after school jazz program. Frank is also residence at College of Lake County.
Frank is a frequent contributor to Chicago Public Radio
and plays Chicago's Green Mill.
Catalano is a spokesperson and performing artist for Yamaha
and Rico
and is featured in their international advertising programs.
The 2006 release of Catalano's "Mighty Burner" thrust him into the national spotlight and brought critical and popular acclaim, as the album debuted at # 11 on the Billboard sales chart.
2008 saw Frank's continued success as the release of "Bang" debuted at #12 on the Billboard charts.
DOWNBEAT magazine has referred to Catalano as "full throttle front and center, a modal rocker that suggests John Coltrane energy in the 21st century."
Biography
Frank Catalano began playing the saxophoneSaxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
at age 7. His right middle finger was severed while working on a car engine when he was 16, but following reconstructive surgery, Catalano forced his hands to relearn technique, skill and artistry. He toured with Santana
Santana (band)
Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
at 18, then signed with Delmark Records
Delmark Records
Delmark Records is an independent American jazz and blues record label, based in Chicago since 1958. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when owner Bob Koester released a recording of the Windy City Six, a traditional jazz group, under the "Delmar" imprint.-History:Born in 1932 in...
to record his first solo album, Cut it Out with trumpeter Ira Sullivan
Ira Sullivan
Ira Sullivan is a bop jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, flautist, saxophonist and composer born in Washington, D.C.. An active musician since the 1950s, he may be best known for his extensive work with Red Rodney and Lin Halliday among others....
at 19. Catalano holds a degree in classical composition from DePaul University
DePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
.
While recording with Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
in 1999, Catalano was inspired by the band's use of sampling and engineered a unique sampling keyboard attachment for the saxophone. His device was patented on Dec. 11, 2001, coincidentally on the two-year anniversary of his mentor Charles Earland
Charles Earland
Charles Earland was an American jazz composer, organist, and saxophonist in the soul jazz idiom.-Biography:...
's death.
Catalano's performances both live and recorded are electric. His Delmark solo albums include You Talkin to Me?!, which features a tandem tenor session with Von Freeman
Von Freeman
Earle Lavon Freeman Sr. is an American hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist. He is the father of jazz saxophonist Chico Freeman.-Biography:...
, and Live at The Green Mill with Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker
Randal "Randy" Brecker is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist. He is a highly sought after performer in the genres of jazz, rock, and R&B, and has performed or recorded with Stanley Turrentine, Billy Cobham, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Sandip Burman, Charles Mingus, Blood, Sweat & Tears,...
on trumpet. Over the past ten years he also has worked with Louie Bellson
Louie Bellson
Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni , better known by the stage name Louie Bellson , was an Italian-American jazz drummer...
, Tito Puente
Tito Puente
Tito Puente, , born Ernesto Antonio Puente, was a Latin jazz and Salsa musician. The son of native Puerto Ricans Ernest and Ercilia Puente, of Spanish Harlem in New York City, Puente is often credited as "El Rey de los Timbales" and "The King of Latin Music"...
, David Sanborn
David Sanborn
David Sanborn is an American alto saxophonist. Though Sanborn has worked in many genres, his solo recordings typically blend jazz with instrumental pop and R&B. He released his first solo album Taking Off in 1975, but has been playing the saxophone since before he was in high school...
, Betty Carter
Betty Carter
Betty Carter was an American jazz singer renowned for her improvisational technique and idiosyncratic vocal style...
, John Medeski
John Medeski
Anthony John Medeski is an American jazz keyboards player and composer. Medeski is a veteran of New York's 1990s avant-garde jazz scene and is known popularly as a member of Medeski Martin & Wood...
and DJ Logic
DJ Logic
DJ Logic is an American turntablist active primarily in jazz and with jam bands.Kibler was born and raised in The Bronx. An early interest in hip hop led to his using the turntables, practicing often. Kibler was also interested in funk and jazz music, and began collaborating with various musicians...
.
Catalano, a Chicago native, volunteers for the Off the Street Club, where he runs the after school jazz program. Frank is also residence at College of Lake County.
Frank is a frequent contributor to Chicago Public Radio
Chicago Public Radio
WBEZ is a noncommercial, public radio station broadcasting from Chicago, Illinois. Financed primarily by listener contributions, the station is affiliated with both National Public Radio and Public Radio International; they also broadcast content from American Public Media...
and plays Chicago's Green Mill.
Catalano is a spokesperson and performing artist for Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
and Rico
D'Addario
D'Addario is a manufacturer of musical instrument strings, primarily guitar strings, currently headquartered in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York...
and is featured in their international advertising programs.
The 2006 release of Catalano's "Mighty Burner" thrust him into the national spotlight and brought critical and popular acclaim, as the album debuted at # 11 on the Billboard sales chart.
2008 saw Frank's continued success as the release of "Bang" debuted at #12 on the Billboard charts.
DOWNBEAT magazine has referred to Catalano as "full throttle front and center, a modal rocker that suggests John Coltrane energy in the 21st century."
Discography
- Cut It Out (DelmarkDelmark RecordsDelmark Records is an independent American jazz and blues record label, based in Chicago since 1958. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when owner Bob Koester released a recording of the Windy City Six, a traditional jazz group, under the "Delmar" imprint.-History:Born in 1932 in...
, 1998) - Pins 'n' Needles (Lakeshore Jazz, 1999)
- You Talkin' to Me?! with Von FreemanVon FreemanEarle Lavon Freeman Sr. is an American hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist. He is the father of jazz saxophonist Chico Freeman.-Biography:...
(Delmark, 2000) - Live at the Green Mill with Randy BreckerRandy BreckerRandal "Randy" Brecker is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist. He is a highly sought after performer in the genres of jazz, rock, and R&B, and has performed or recorded with Stanley Turrentine, Billy Cobham, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Sandip Burman, Charles Mingus, Blood, Sweat & Tears,...
(Delmark, 2001) - Mighty Burner (Bright Records, 2006)
- Bang! (Savoy JazzSavoy RecordsSavoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part in popularizing bebop.Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part...
, 2008)
External links
- http://www.catalanomusic.com/