If you have followed the New York jazz scene in recent years, you are probably aware of jazz bassist Frank Tate. Frank moved to New York in 1975 to join the Marian McPartland Trio. During this same period, he began to freelance, working with such luminaries as Bobby Hackett, Dave McKenna, Zoot Sims, Benny Goodman, Teddy Wilson, Joe Venuti, Lionel Hampton and Wild Bill Davison. He was also a member of Festival Jazz, a group dedicated

to furthering jazz education.

In recent years, Frank has become a sought-after performer on the jazz festival and concert circuit. He has appeared at the JVC Festival, at both Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall,

and at the Grande Parade du Jazz in Nice, France. From 1985 to 1990, he toured with Pearl Bailey and the Louie Bellson Orchestra.

In 1991, Frank joined the Ruby Braff Trio, which includes guitarist Howard Alden. After completing a highly successful tour of France, Scotland and England, the trio was reviewed

by Martin Gayford for the British magazine, The Spectator, in which he wrote:

“Tate … turned out to be that rarity of rarities, a bass player whose contributions, rather than being a lot of plinking, plonking and skittering around on the strings, actually made musical sense. I thought he was excellent.”

Frank joined Bobby Short in 1995, and spent nine years with Bobby at the Carlyle Hilton in New York, as well as performing with Bobby throughout the United States, Europe and South America. He remained with Bobby until the latter’s death in 2005.

Frank has a great deal of experience, both as a recording artist and as a band leader. His recordings include performances with Zoot Sims, Marian McPartland, Pee Wee Erwin, Ronny Whyte, Bob Wilber, Ken Peplowski, Ed Polcer and the Eddie Condon All-Stars, and the Howard Alden – Dan Barrett Quintet. As a leader, he has, on several occasions, taken his own band to Europe.

Most recently, Frank has been freelancing and appearing at jazz festivals at home and abroad. He also continues to record, most recently with Ken Peplowski and Johnny Varro.