Frank Tate

b. 18 July 1943, Washington, DC, USA. Developing up on Longer Island, Tate started playing trumpet and was a neighbour of pianist Artwork Hodes. When he was 23 he started doubling on bass but performed trumpet appropriately in NEW YORK in a music group led by Bert Massengale. When Tate afterwards rejoined the music group there is no vacancy to get a trumpet player therefore he performed bass rather. He continuing to progress his bass playing, learning with Michael Moore. In the past due 60s Tate was briefly outside music however in past due 1972 he was head of the home music group at Blues Alley in his home-town. A couple of years afterwards he was employed in the Cape Cod region, playing in rings led by Bobby Hackett and Dave McKenna, after that he became a member of Marian McPartland and in the first 80s was with Zoot Sims. He helped organize the Dave McKenna- Scott Hamilton music group and in addition toured with vocalist Pearl Bailey. In the middle-80s he was using the Howard Alden – Dan Barrett Quintet and in the first 90s used Ruby Braff. A solid player with an excellent sense of golf swing, Tate is definitely an excellent asset towards the rhythm portion of any music group where he has performed. His knowledge of the requirements of front-line players could very well be strengthened through his early encounter like a trumpet player.