The Frank Strozier Discography

Back to Frank Strozier page at Noal Cohen's Jazz History Website

Note: For conventions and abbreviations used in this discography, please see: Discography Key.

Houston Stokes (ldr), Matthew Garrett (t), Frank Strozier (as), Gilmore Daniels (ts), Erskine McLellan (g), Evans Bradshaw (p), Houston Stokes (d, v)

Houston Stokes (v) on a-e.

The information shown is taken from the online Sun Records discography and the details at first seem somewhat suspect. Frank Strozier would have been only 15 years old at the time but being from Memphis where the recording took place, it is certainly conceivable that he was involved. Furthermore, photos exist of Strozier with alto saxophone around this time. Bruyninckx indicates that there are no horns on tracks a and b. After auditioning some, but not all of this material, it appears that horns are definitely present on tracks c and d and possibly briefly on a. Bruyninckx also indicates the existence of two additional titles, "Going Crazy" and "The Hammer." Perhaps these are the "untitled instrumentals." There also may be alternate takes of titles a and b. This material was never issued originally and the issued titles only appeared much later on the blues anthologies listed. Sun Box 105 is a 9 LP set released in 1984.

Bruyninckx shows another session from 1952 with this same band recording a tune called "Got Me a Horse and Wagon" and issued on Sun/Charly (Eng.) CD 38 (The Sun Blues Archives Vol. 6 - Too Blue To Cry). This title could not be found in the Sun Records discography.

Frank Strozier (ldr), Frank Strozier (as), Billy Wallace (p), Bill Lee (b), unknown (d)

This session was produced by Max Roach for the Mercury label but never issued. The drummer could be Bill Hobbs, Donald Clark or Vernel Fournier.

Booker Little, Louis Smith (t), Frank Strozier (as), George Coleman (ts), Calvin Newborn (g), Phineas Newborn (p), Jamil Nasser [George Joyner] (b), Charles Crosby (d)

Booker Little (t) on a-b; Louis Smith (t) on a-b; Frank Strozier (as) on a-c; George Coleman (ts) on a-b; Calvin Newborn (g) on a-b, d.

This ensemble was known as the Young Men from Memphis. The recording date comes from the Ruppli/Cuscuna Blue Note Label Discography CD-ROM.

Edward Bunky Redding (ldr), Sonny Cohn (t), Morris Brice (frh), Frank Strozier (as), Von Freeman (ts), McKinley Easton (bar), Lefty Bates (g), Floyd Morris (p), Quinn Wilson (b), Marshall Thompson (d), Edward Bunky Redding (v)

An unidentified string section is present on this session.

Walter Perkins (ldr), Willie Thomas (t), Frank Strozier (as), Harold Mabern (p), Bob Cranshaw (b), Walter Perkins (d)

This Chicago-based quintet was known as the MJT+3 (MJT = Cranshaw, Perkins = The Modern Jazz Two).

Frank Strozier (ldr), Booker Little (t), Frank Strozier (as), Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers (b), Jimmy Cobb (d)

*Matrix numbers were not assigned to these tracks. Runnin' is called Run on Vee Jay NVJ2-903. Some discographies indicate that Vee Jay LP 1007 was the first issue of Fantastic Frank Strozier but this catalog number was assigned to a John Lee Hooker LP. Track e is the first recorded version of this title - see also the session of February 3, 1960.

Frank Strozier (ldr), Booker Little (t), Frank Strozier (as), Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers (b), Jimmy Cobb (d)

*Matrix numbers were not assigned to the alternate takes so the master numbers are duplicated here for convenience. Some discographies indicate that Vee Jay LP 1007 was the first issue of Fantastic Frank Strozier but this catalog number was assigned to a John Lee Hooker LP.

Walter Perkins (ldr), Willie Thomas (t), Frank Strozier (as), Harold Mabern (p), Bob Cranshaw (b), Walter Perkins (d)

This Chicago-based quintet was known as the MJT+3 (MJT = Cranshaw, Perkins = The Modern Jazz Two). The version of Love Letters on Trip 5025 may be edited.

Lee Morgan (ldr), Lee Morgan (t), Frank Strozier (as), Wayne Shorter (ts), Bobby Timmons (p), Bob Cranshaw (b), Louis Hayes, Albert 'Tootie' Heath (d)

Louis Hayes (d) on a-d; Albert 'Tootie' Heath (d) on e-h.

*The actual matrix numbers of the alternate takes are unknown but are assigned here the same ones as the masters for convenience. This ensemble was called The Young Lions. On Vee Jay NVJ2-908, Scourin' and Peaches and Cream are interchanged.

Walter Perkins (ldr), Willie Thomas (t), Frank Strozier (as), Harold Mabern (p), Bob Cranshaw (b), Walter Perkins (d)

This Chicago-based quintet was known as the MJT+3 (MJT = Cranshaw, Perkins = The Modern Jazz Two).

Johnny Griffin (ldr), Bobby Bryant, Clark Terry (t), Matthew Gee, Julian Priester (tb), Frank Strozier (as), Johnny Griffin, Edwin Williams (ts), Charles Davis (bar), Harold Mabern (p), Victor Sproles (b), Charli Persip (d)

Johnny Griffin (ldr), Bobby Bryant, Clark Terry (t), Matthew Gee, Julian Priester (tb), Frank Strozier (as), Johnny Griffin, Edwin Williams (ts), Charles Davis (bar), Bobby Timmons (p, cel), Victor Sproles (b), Charli Persip (d)

Bobby Timmons (p) on b; (cel) on a.

Bill Henderson (ldr), Willie Thomas (t), Frank Strozier (as), Harold Mabern (p), Bob Cranshaw (b), Walter Perkins (d), Bill Henderson (v)

This is Bill Henderson accompanied by the MJT+3.

Frank Strozier (ldr), Frank Strozier (as), Billy Wallace (p), Bill Lee (b), Vernel Fournier [Amir Rushdan] (d)

*The actual matrix numbers of the alternate takes are unknown but are assigned here the same ones as the masters for convenience. Discographies assign matrix numbers 60-1657 and 60-1658 to "untitled blues." This blues is most likely Cloudy and Cool and so these numbers have been assigned to that title.

Walter Perkins (ldr), Willie Thomas (t), Frank Strozier (as), Harold Mabern (p), Bob Cranshaw (b), Walter Perkins (d)

This Chicago-based quintet was known as the MJT+3 (MJT = Cranshaw, Perkins = The Modern Jazz Two). This session was originally recorded but never issued by the Vee Jay label. *The actual matrix numbers of the alternate takes are unknown but are assigned here the same ones as the masters for convenience.

Frank Strozier (ldr), Frank Strozier (as, f), George Coleman (ts), Pat Patrick (bar, f), Chris Anderson (p), Bill Lee (b), Walter Perkins (d)

Frank Strozier (as) on a-e, g-h; (f) on f; George Coleman (ts) on a, c, f, h; Pat Patrick (bar) on a, c, h; (f) on f.

Frank Strozier (ldr), Frank Strozier (as, f), Harold Mabern (p), Bill Lee (b), Al Dreares (d)

Frank Strozier (as) on b-e, g-h; (f) on a, f.

Sam Jones (ldr), Les Spann, Frank Strozier (f), Sam Jones (vc), Josef Zawinul (p), Ron Carter, Israel Crosby (b), Vernel Fournier [Amir Rushdan], Ben Riley (d)

Les Spann (f) on b-d; Frank Strozier (f) on a; Ron Carter (b) on a; Israel Crosby (b) on b-d; Vernel Fournier [Amir Rushdan] (d) on b-d; Ben Riley (d) on a.

The information on this session is taken from the liner notes to the 1995 reissue OJCCD-1864-2. Lord's discography claims the recording date is August 15, 1962 and that Strozier, Carter and Riley are present on tracks b-d instead of Spann, Crosby and Fournier, respectively.

Sam Jones (ldr), Blue Mitchell, Clark Terry, Snooky Young (t), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Frank Strozier (as), Jimmy Heath (ts), Pat Patrick (bar), Wynton Kelly, Josef Zawinul (p), Ron Carter, Sam Jones (b), Ben Riley (d), Ernie Wilkins (con)

Clark Terry (t) on b, d; Snooky Young (t) on a, c; Wynton Kelly (p) on b, d; Josef Zawinul (p) on a, c; Ron Carter (b) on b, d.

The information on this session comes from the liner notes to the 1995 reissue OJCCD-1864-2. The Lord Discography claims the recording date of this session is August 15, 1962.

Booker Ervin (ldr), Frank Strozier (as), Booker Ervin (ts), Horace Parlan (p), Butch Warren (b), Walter Perkins (d)

Frank Strozier (as) on a-e, g-h.

Frank Strozier does not solo on the short take of No Land's Man (often incorrectly listed as "No Man's Land").

Roy Haynes (ldr), Frank Strozier (as, f), Ronnie Mathews (p), Larry Ridley (b), Roy Haynes (d)

e, f, g performed as medley.

Frank Strozier (as) on c-g; (f) on a-b.

Titles e-g constitute a medley of 11:05.

McCoy Tyner (ldr), Thad Jones (t), Frank Strozier (as), John Gilmore (ts), McCoy Tyner (p), Butch Warren (b), Elvin Jones (d)

According to the ABC ledger, matrix number 90049 was not used.

Roy Haynes (ldr), Frank Strozier (as, f), Sam Dockery (p), Larry Ridley (b), Roy Haynes (d)

Frank Strozier (as) on a, c-e, g-h, j; (f) on b, f, i.

Chet Baker (ldr), Chet Baker (fh), Frank Strozier (as, f), Phil Urso (ts), Hal Galper (p), Mike Fleming (b), Charlie Rice (d)

Frank Strozier (as) on a-d; (f) on e.

This recording date is found in Bruyninckx and Lord and the Thorbjorn Sjogren Chet Baker discography; however, the Ruppli Mercury label discography and the liner notes to Limelight 82003 and the Verve CD reissue give November 14, 1964 as the recording date for this session. Baby Breeze and Comin' Down are credited to Richard Carpenter. Baby Breeze was composed by Phil Urso but the rights to the song were sold to Carpenter.

Shelly Manne (ldr), Conte Candoli, Al Porcino, Ray Triscari, Stu Williamson, Jimmy Zito (t), Mike Barone, Bob Edmondson, Frank Rosolino (tb), Vincent De Rosa, Richard Perissi (frh), John Bambridge (tu), Justin Gordon, Jack Nimitz, Bud Shank (r), Frank Strozier (as), Russ Freeman (p), Monty Budwig (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Frank Strozier solos on track a.

Shelly Manne (ldr), Conte Candoli, Lee Katzman, Larry McGuire, Al Porcino, Stu Williamson (t), Mike Barone, Bob Edmondson, Frank Rosolino (tb), Vincent De Rosa, Richard Perissi (frh), John Bambridge (tu), Justin Gordon, Jack Nimitz, Bud Shank (r), Frank Strozier (as), Russ Freeman (p), Monty Budwig (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Frank Strozier solos on track b.

Shelly Manne (ldr), Conte Candoli (t), Frank Strozier (as), Russ Freeman (p), Monty Budwig (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Don Specht (ldr), Bobby Bryant, Conte Candoli, Don Fagerquist, Jack Laubach, Ollie Mitchell, Al Porcino, Ray Triscari (t), Herbie Harper, Dick Leith, Dick Nash, Dick Noel, Tom Shepard, Ernie Tack (tb), Vincent De Rosa (frh), Med Flory, Ronnie (Ronny) Lang, Jack Nimitz, Bud Shank (sax), Bill Perkins (sax, f), Frank Strozier (as), Dom Fera (cl), Victor Feldman (vib), Lou Levy (p), Buddy Clark (b), Shelly Manne (d), Don Specht (con)

Bobby Bryant (t) on b; Don Fagerquist (t) on b; Jack Laubach (t) on c-d; Ollie Mitchell (t) on c-d; Al Porcino (t) on b; Ray Triscari (t) on c-d; Herbie Harper (tb) on c-d; Dick Leith (tb) on b; Dick Nash (tb) on b, e; Dick Noel (tb) on b-e; Tom Shepard (tb) on e; Ernie Tack (tb) on c-e; Vincent De Rosa (frh) on e; Med Flory (sax) on b-d; Ronnie (Ronny) Lang (sax) on b; Jack Nimitz (sax) on b-d; Bill Perkins (sax) on b-d; (f) on e; Bud Shank (sax) on c-d; Dom Fera (cl) on e; Victor Feldman (vib) on d-e; Lou Levy (p) on b-e; Buddy Clark (b) on b-e.

Frank Strozier does not appear on the remaining tracks of this LP, one of which features Cannonball Adderley. It is not known if the tracks were recorded at only one or at several sessions.

Shelly Manne (ldr), Conte Candoli (t, fh), Frank Strozier (as), Russ Freeman (p), Monty Budwig (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Shelly Manne (ldr), Conte Candoli (t), Frank Strozier (as), Mike Wofford (p), Monty Budwig (b), Shelly Manne (d)

These short tracks are taken from "The Navy Swings" radio shows and are thought to have been recorded between 1965 and 1967, not necessarily all at the same session. Since this version of the Manne quintet recorded several times in 1967, I am guessing that is the year these tracks were recorded. Frank's Tune is performed here as a 40-bar, ABA structure whereas on other recordings, it is a 56-bar, AABA composition. Presumably time restrictions mandated elimination of the second A section in this abbreviated performance.

Shelly Manne, The Airmen of Note (ldr), Conte Candoli, Paul Hubinon, Paul Kelly, Dick Montz, Vince Somma, Scott Waller (t), Bob Mann (t, g), Bill Booth, Ed Green, Gary Ross, Dave Steinmeyer (tb), Don Grossi, Ernie Hensley, Bill McPherson, Dave Napier, Kim Richmond, Jim Towsey, Barry Weinstein (r), Frank Strozier (as), Tom Baldwin, Dick Reitan, Mike Wofford (p), Monty Budwig, Don Dempsey, Dick Jones (b), Gary Gauger, Shelly Manne, Charlie McIlroy (d), Bob Bunton (dir)

This is one track of a compilation featuring The Airmen of Note in concert with various guests, in this case, the Shelly Manne Quintet (Candoli, Strozier, Wofford, Budwig). The LP was produced by the U.S. Air Force and not meant for sale or commercial distribution. This is the only track of the LP on which the Manne group, including Strozier, appears. The date of this performance is not given but the presence of Wofford suggests 1967. The personnel is collective for all the appearances on the LP which took place over the period 1966-1967 and it is not known who actually performs on this track, especially regarding the rhythm section players. All of the musicians, other than Manne's group, were enlisted men.

Oliver Nelson (ldr), Bobby Bryant, Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers, Freddy Hill (t), Louis Blackburn, Billy Byers, Pete Myers, Ernie Tack (tb), Oliver Nelson (ss, con), Gabe Baltazar, Frank Strozier (as), Bill Perkins, Tom Scott (ts), Jack Nimitz (bar), Frank Strazzeri (p), Monty Budwig (b), Ed Thigpen (d)

Frank Strozier does not solo on this track which features trumpeter Freddy Hill. Frank Strazzeri is incorrectly listed as Strazzori in the liner notes to Impulse A/S 9153.

Oliver Nelson (ldr), Bobby Bryant, Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers, Freddy Hill (t), Louis Blackburn, Billy Byers, Pete Myers, Ernie Tack (tb), Oliver Nelson (ss, con), Gabe Baltazar, Frank Strozier (as), Bill Perkins, Tom Scott (ts), Jack Nimitz (bar), Frank Strazzeri (p), Monty Budwig (b), Ed Thigpen (d)

Frank Strozier and Tom Scott are featured on this track. This title is the later of the two Miles Davis tunes with this name. Frank Strazzeri is incorrectly listed as Strazzori in the liner notes to Impulse A/S 9153.

Oliver Nelson (ldr), Bobby Bryant, Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers, Freddy Hill (t), Louis Blackburn, Billy Byers, Pete Myers, Ernie Tack (tb), Oliver Nelson (ss, con), Gabe Baltazar, Frank Strozier (as), Bill Perkins, Tom Scott (ts), Jack Nimitz (bar), Mel Brown (g), Frank Strazzeri (p), Monty Budwig (b), Ed Thigpen (d)

Mel Brown (g) on b-c.

Frank Strozier is featured on track a. Guitarist Mel Brown is Featured on tracks b and c. The trumpet section is featured on track d. Trombonist Lou Blackburn is featured on track e. Frank Strazzeri is incorrectly listed as Strazzori in the liner notes to Impulse A/S 9153.

Shelly Manne (ldr), Conte Candoli (t, fh), Frank Strozier (as, f), Mike Wofford (p), Monty Budwig (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Conte Candoli (t) on a-c; (fh) on d; Frank Strozier (as) on a-c; (f) on d.

Shelly Manne (ldr), Conte Candoli (t), Frank Strozier (as, f), Mike Wofford (p), Monty Budwig (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Frank Strozier (as) on a, c; (f) on b.

Shelly Manne (ldr), Conte Candoli (t), Frank Strozier (as), Mike Wofford (p), Monty Budwig (b), Shelly Manne (d), unknown (per)

unknown (per) on b.

This session was originally recorded for but never issued by the Atlantic label.

Shelly Manne (ldr), Conte Candoli (t), Frank Strozier (as, f), Mike Wofford (p), Monty Budwig (b), Shelly Manne (d)