Frank Mantooth RIP

[Matthew]

Just heard that Frank Mantooth passed away yesterday from a heart attack. A sad loss to jazz.

[Free For All]

Matthew, I started a thread on this topic a couple of days ago in this (Artists)category. I guess it kind of eventually got buried because there were no responses. I guess there aren't too many on the board who knew him.

Anyway, did you know Frank?

[Matthew]

Sorry, I didn't see your previous post. Just knew his music by cd, all of which I enjoyed. Hate when someone talented dies so young.

[Free For All]

S'okay, I'll just delete my thread since this one is getting some action now.

I was fortunate enough to know Frank well and played on several of his recordings-he also recorded one of my compositions on one. I also taught/played w/him at many jazz camps and enjoyed his great sense of humor as well as his musicianship. He was a good friend to many and the occasions when all the players would assemble for a "Tooth" recording project were very special.

This happened way too soon. There was a lot of music left in him.

BTW, he passed away Friday morning. He was 56.

Edited February 1, 2004 by Free For All

[Matthew]

First learned about Mantooth about eight years ago. One Sunday afternoon, while living in the "Inland Empire", listening to KUOR, the DJ devoted a hour to a guy he just discovered -- Mantooth. That started my love of Mantooth's writing, just a unique quality to it. Too bad radio never give DJ's the freedom to spend an hour on an unknown musician anymore. The Program Director (even on a jazz station) would faint dead away. But that's another story.