Frank Catalano

Frank Catalano has quickly emerged as one of the leading saxophone players in Chicago. In addition to touring with artists ranging from Tony Bennett to Ministry, Catalano has performed and/or recorded with Louis Bellson, Charles Earland, Clark Terry, Johnny "Hammond" Smith, Kenny Loggins, Jimmy McGriff, Randy Brecker, and Arturo Sandoval. Catalano has increasingly drawn attention for his own talents. His debut solo album, Cut It Out, released in February 1988, was included on lists of the year's best mainstream albums compiled by Jazz Times, Los Angeles Weekly, and the Chicago Tribune. His second effort, Pins 'n' Needles, featured accompaniment by trumpet player Randy Brecker, trumpet and reeds player Ira Sullivan, drummer Paul Weilico, pianist Larry Novak, and bassist Eric Hochberg. He continues to perform with his own quartet, featuring guitarist Kirk Hunter, Hammond B-3 organist Vijay Tellis-Nayak, and drummer Don Leali, as well as with John Burnett and His Orchestra and Lenny King's Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. Playing tenor saxophone since the age of eight, Catalano sharpened his playing skills as a student at DePaul University and launched his professional music career while still a teenager. After playing with jazz drummer Louis Bellson and avant-garde jazz organist Charles Earland in 1991, he accepted an invitation to join pop vocalist Tony Bennett's group. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide