Frank Watts

Biography

	Location: New South Wales
	Contact: 02 4324 7696
	Email:
	Instruments: Piano

Frank grew up in Brisbane where his first exposure to jazz was at high school dancing classes ( Benny Goodman small-group recordings were used for quicksteps and foxtrots). Teddy Wilson was a revelation.

Further exposure to jazz consisted mainly of radio programs ( Rhythm Unlimited on ABC with Eric Child and Bob Rodgers on commercial radio pre-Elvis), plus the occasional jazz concert at the old stadium by visiting Sydney bands and the more occasional visit by overseas stars.These influences were supplemented by recordings from the sparse array available in Brisbane at the time.

Migration to Sydney was inevitable and resulted in invaluable experience playing in suburban halls, pubs, clubs and on cruise ships. Frank has filled the piano chair with several Sydney bands including those of Paul Furniss, Eric Holroyd, Mike Hallam and The Eclipse Alley Five (Sydney's longest running band).

Frank moved to the Central Coast in 1996 and often appears with various bands at the Central Coast Leagues Club for the Central Coast Jazz League's concert on Sunday afternoons.

Frank currently works with the Mike Hallam Hot Six and Hot Five groups at venues across Sydney as well as various Jazz Festivals. This combined with casual music jobs keeps him more than occupied.

 

 

The following samples of music by Frank Watts are available for online listening.

 

'Tea For Two'