Moodsville, Volume 8 (Remastered 2026) Frank Wess Quartet

• 1 It's So Peaceful In The Country (Remastered 2026) 03:59
• 2 Rainy Afternoon (Remastered 2026) 08:24
• 3 Star Eyes (Remastered 2026) 03:52
• 4 Stella By Starlight (Remastered 2026) 05:08
• 5 But Beautiful (Remastered 2026) 04:34
• 6 Gone With The Wind (Remastered 2026) 05:45
• 7 I See Your Face Before Me (Remastered 2026) 06:05
• Total Runtime 37:47

Info for Moodsville, Volume 8 (Remastered 2026)

This newly remastered edition of tenor sax player Frank Wess’ The Frank Wess Quartet album is released as part of the new Moodsville Series. Originally release in 1960 and recorded at Rudy Van Gelders famed studios in New Jersey it also features Tommy Flanagan (piano), Eddie Jones (bass) and Bobby Donaldson (drums).

"Frank Wess has long been one of the most underrated flautists in jazz, but it's his primary instrument on this Moodsville LP recorded in 1960. With fine accompaniment by piano master Tommy Flanagan, bassist Eddie Jones and drummer Bobby Donaldson, the leader's lyrical chops are evident in Alec Wilder's rarely performed ballad "It's So Peaceful in the Country." The light Latin setting of "Star Eyes" initially spotlights Flanagan's elegant piano, with the rhythm switching gears as Wess works his magic on flute. Flanagan alone introduces the dreamy interpretation of "But Beautiful," while Wess will melt any heart with his gorgeous flute solo. Wess is best known for his swinging tenor saxophone, heard on the richly textured "Gone With the Wind," a spacious "Stella by Starlight" (which will rival any saxophonist's recording for pure beauty), as well as his bluesy original "Rainy Afternoon," with Donaldson's light percussion possibly suggesting stepping in sidewalk puddles or windshield wipers clearing intermittent precipitation. Highly recommended." (Ken Dryden, AMG)

Frank Wess, flute, tenor saxophone
Tommy Flanagan, piano
Eddie Jones, double bass
Bobby Donaldson, drums

Recorded May 9, 1960 by Rudy Van Geld at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 9

Digitally remastered

Frank Wess
Frank Wellington Wess (January 4, 1922 – October 30, 2013) was an American jazz saxophonist and flautist. In addition to his extensive solo work, Wess is remembered for his time in Count Basie's band from the early 1950s into the 1960s. Critic Scott Yannow described him as one of the premier proteges of Lester Young, and a leading jazz flautist of his era—using the latter instrument to bring new colors to Basie's music.

Wess was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of a principal father and a schoolteacher mother. He began with classical music training and played in Oklahoma in high school. He later switched to jazz on moving to Washington, D. C. and by nineteen was working with big bands. His career was interrupted by World War II although he did play with a military band in the period. After leaving the military, he joined Billy Eckstine's orchestra. He returned to Washington D.C. a few years afterwards and received a degree in flute at the city's Modern School of Music. He played tenor sax with Count Basie from 1953 to 1964, doubling on flute.

Wess was considered one of the best jazz flautists of his time. From 1959 to 1964, he won the Down Beat magazine critics' poll for flute.

He was a member of Clark Terry's big band from 1967 into the 1970s and played in the New York Jazz Quartet (with Roland Hanna). He also did a variety of work for TV. In 1968 he contributed to the album The Jazz Composer's Orchestra. He played tenor and alto sax, doubling on flute throughout his career.

In the 1980s and 1990s, he worked with Kenny Barron, Rufus Reid, Buck Clayton, Benny Carter, Billy Taylor, Harry Edison, Mel Tormé, Ernestine Anderson, Louie Bellson, John Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Dick Hyman, Jane Jarvis, Frank Vignola and was a featured member of the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra. In the 2000s, Wess released two albums with Hank Jones. In 2007, Wess was named an NEA Jazz Master by the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts.

Wess died from a heart attack related to kidney failure on October 30, 2013.

This album contains no booklet.