Frank Waldron
About Frank D. Waldron (Excerpted from Paul de Barros’ Washington Hall Stomp liner notes)"Frank Waldron—saxophonist, cornetist, composer, band leader and teacher—is arguably the most important figure in early Seattle jazz... From his studio at 1242 Jackson Street, Waldron not only tutored the major figures who emerged from that sizzling after-hours district during the 1940s—Quincy Jones, Buddy Catlett, others—his reach extended back another generation. In the 1920s he fronted the Odean Jazz Orchestra at the Nanking Café in downtown Seattle. There are few traces of Waldron’s early life, but he did leave behind one important artifact, a method book for budding young jazz sax players, Frank D. Waldron’s Syncopated Classic, published in 1924...now, thanks to Seattle-based hot club guitarist Greg Ruby, the rest of the world can hear those tunes
Frank Waldron with trumpet, Wang Doodle Orchestra, Seattle, circa 1915, courtesy of The Black Heritage Society
Washington Hall is a significant historical venue that has featured many Jazz legends over the years
Seattle Jazz historian Paul DeBarros - author of Jackson Street After Hours which is a must read on Seattle Jazz History
